overturn Hijab ban, Anti-Conversion laws....

With the newly elected Congress government in Karnataka in place now;hopeis high,anditisready to reverse the controversial hijab ban in the state, criticizing the previous decision as a divisive tactic by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. On the block are reversal of other laws and decisions too. The implementation of 5 guarantees is also a matter of great attention of the people of

During the Congress election campaign for the May 10 Assembly polls, the Congress party, particularly Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, strongly asserted that the hijab bans, and any laws based on communal grounds enacted by the previous BJP government would be repealed once their party assumes power in thestate.

The minister in the newly elected Karnataka cabinet, Priyank Kharge assured that all such orders and legislationswillbewithdrawnwhich come in the way of the economic progressandprosperityofthestate or go against the interests of Kannadigas."Previous government had decided to observe certain jayantis (birth anniversary of prominent figures) and left out others. Not only jayantis, their orders, whether it is regarding textbooks, anti-cow slaughter, anticonversion bills (laws), but all of them will also be revised," he said.

"Allthosebills(laws)andordersthat hamper the economic progress of Karnataka, its prosperity, and will affect Kannadigas, will be withdrawn. Making Karnataka once again the number one is our intention, and we will take steps in that direction," the minister said speaking to the reporters.

When questioned about Amnesty International’s growing concern regarding the hijab ban in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister brought by the previous BJP government.Adecisionwillsoonbe taken on the construction of a 114foot-tall Jesus Christ statue in Kapalabetta near Kanakapura town. This is proposed to be the largest Christ statue in the world.

Shivakumar commented in Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, stating, "I prefer not to comment on the hijab issue as it is a policy matter."

The Hijab row which was started by six students at Udupi Pre-University Girl’s College had turned out to be a crisis in the state last year. The students refusing to attend classes withouthijabstillmaintainthatthey will wait for the final verdict of the SupremeCourt.

Sources claimed that the party is all set to withdraw these laws, including the Anti-Conversion law

Compiled

By: Ivan Saldanha-Shet.