NEW DELHI — Parts of Karnataka, on Thursday, witnessed shutdown on a joint call given by Muslim groups to protest against the high court verdict upholding government’s ban on hijab in classrooms across the state. Shops and commercial establishments owned by Muslims remained closed for the entire day.
State capital Bengaluru too came under the influence of the shutdown in areas with sizable Muslim population including Commercial Street and Shivajinagar in the heart of the city.
Roads and markets wore a deserted look in most of the towns across the state.
The Karnataka bandh call given by Muslim organisations against the Karnataka High Court's verdict on Hijab has received an overwhelming response.
Muslims chose to shut their business to support the bandh across Bengaluru.#KarnatakaBandh #इस्लाम_में_पर्दा_जरूरी_है #Hijab pic.twitter.com/ESxWic17K1
— The Cognate (@TheCognate_) March 17, 2022
Bengaluru-based news outlet The Cognate said the shutdown received an “overwhelming response”. Muslims chose to shut their businesses, shops and hotels to support the bandh in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Bhatkal, Udupi, Mysuru, Gulbarga, Kanakpura, Chennapatna, Hirekerur, Yadgir, Tumkur, Shivamogga, Hoskote, Bidar, Raichur, and other districts and towns, a report by the portal said.
Journalist Mohammed Irshad published visuals in a long Twitter thread depicting shutdown being observed in the towns and cities across the state.
The call for shutdown was announced by Ameer-E-Shariat of Karnataka, Maulana Sagir Ahmad Khan Rashadi, on Wednesday with the backing of dozens of Muslim groups in the states. “Expressing our anger against the sad order of the Karnataka High Court regarding hijab, a state-wide bandh will be observed on Thursday,” Rashadi stated was quoted by the News Minute.
Muslim student group Campus Front of India supported the call. On many instances, Muslim students boycotted classes in protest.
The court verdict that declared hijab as non essential practice in Islam sparked outrage in the Muslim community across the country with many questioning the court’s right to wade into theological issues.
Meanwhile a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Karnataka HC ruling. However, the apex court declined to grant an urgent hearing on the plea and said it will look into the matter after the Holi vacations.
This article first appeared on clarionindia.net