Section 144 in K’taka’s Udupi amid hijab row

THE PROHIBITORY ORDER, WHICH COMES AHEAD OF REOPENING OF SCHOOLS IN THE STATE FROM MONDAY, WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM 6AM ON FEB 14 TO 6PM ON FEB 19

BENGALURU: The Udupi district administration in Karnataka has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in areas around all high schools in the district from Monday (February 14) till February 19 even as the state continues to be shrouded in controversy arising from the ban of hijab at educational institutions.

The move comes as part of a precautionary measure as schools reopen from Monday after the state government ordered their closure in the wake of the protests over the controversy.

The prohibitory order will be in effect from 6am on February 14 to 6pm on February 19.

The order has been clamped following a request by the district superintendent of police to deputy commissioner M Kurma Rao for imposing Section 144 within a 200-metre radius around all the high schools.

As per the order, assembly of five or more members around the school perimeter is not allowed. All sorts of gatherings including protests and rallies are banned. Inciting slogans, songs and speeches are strictly barred.

Meanwhile, Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said that schools up to class 10 will reopen from Monday, and the police in all districts have been asked to hold peace meetings involving parents and teachers at important schools aimed at maintaining cordial atmosphere. “I’m confident that schools will function peacefully,” said the CM.

As protests for and against the hijab intensified in different parts of Karnataka and turned violent in some places, the gov

ernment declared a holiday for all high schools and colleges in the state for three days, from February 9.

The matter reached the Karnataka high court, which in its interim order pending consideration of all petitions related to the Hijab row, earlier requested the state government to reopen educational institutions and restrained all the students from wearing saffron shawls, scarves, Hijab and any religious flag within the classroom.

Following the court order, the government on February 10 decided to resume classes for high school students up to class 10 from February 14, and for Pre-University and Degree Colleges thereafter.

The Karnataka government also issued a series of directions to district administrations, aimed at maintaining peace and that the court order is not violated.