Bengaluru Ban On Protests Against Uniforms Extended By Two Weeks

Bengaluru today extended its ban on protests near schools. The ban on protests near schools, colleges or any educational institution was already in place keeping in mind the increasing unrest around the ban on hijab in schools and colleges. The ban, which was first imposed on February 9, has been extended till March 8 now.

This was informed by the Bengaluru Police Chief Kamal Pant. Pant said that the ban on protests and agitations for and against the "strict implementation of the schools/colleges uniform in the Bengaluru city has been extended by two weeks. Considering this ban, no protest is allowed within a 200-meter radius of any educational institution."

The order dictating the ban stated that in some places, the protest is causing unrest and disturbing public peace and order. Thus the ban was considered an essential security measure.

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Bengaluru Ban On Protests Extended

The fresh order stated, "Since the issue is still alive and the possibility of holding protests, for and against the same in Bengaluru city cannot be ruled out, it is considered appropriate to extend the aforementioned prohibitory order." The Dakshina Kannada district administration too had extended the prohibitory order till February 26.

Recently, the Karnataka police had registered FIR against 15 girl students from the Government Pre-University (PU) college in Tumakuru, a city in the state of Karnataka. The FIR was filed against these students for violating the orders imposed under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

At least 40 women students had staged protests at the Government Empress Junior PU College and raised slogans when they were not allowed to enter the premises wearing burqa and hijab. This protest took place after the Deputy Commissioner had given out a prohibitory order which did not allow any such activities near the education institutions.

Then a meeting between the Assistant Commissioner of Police and Deputy Director of the college took place, wherein, reportedly Assistant Commissioner instructed the principal to file the complaint and thus the FIR was registered.

Recently, the Home Minister of Karnataka Araga Jnanendra said that "no soft approach" will be taken to deal with these cases anymore and directed the police to take action against those flouting the interim order.

The interim order of the Karnataka High Court stated that until the case is disposed of, the girl students have been requested to not wear any religious clothing to schools or colleges and adhere to the uniform.

(Feature Image Credit: ANI)