Bangalore. The Karnataka government on Friday said the declaration of holidays for higher education universities and colleges in the state has been extended till February 16 in the wake of the hijab controversy. State Higher Education Minister CN Ashwath Narayan said in a statement that the examinations would however be held on schedule and directed to conduct online classes.
Earlier in the day, both Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh and Home Minister Araga Gyanendra had indicated that a decision regarding the reopening of pre-university and degree (higher education) colleges would be taken on February 14.
Narayan said that in view of the hijab controversy, the Department of Collegiate and Technical Education (DCTE) had announced the closure of institutions from February 9 to February 11, but now it has been extended as a precautionary measure. He said the bandh is applicable for government, aided, unaided degree colleges, diploma and engineering colleges.
The government on Thursday decided to resume classes from February 14 for high school students up to class 10 and thereafter for pre-university and degree colleges. The Karnataka High Court, in its interim order, had earlier asked the state government to reopen educational institutions and all students wearing saffron shawls, scarves, hijabs and any religious flag inside the classroom on all petitions related to hijab. Had given.
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As protests against the hijab intensified in various parts of the state, the government had declared a three-day holiday for all high schools and colleges in the state from February 9. Earlier in the day, the Karnataka government on Friday issued a slew of directions to the district administration in view of the reopening of schools, to maintain peace and ensure that the High Court order is not violated.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday discussed the ground situation with ministers as well as Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), Deputy Directors of Public Instruction (DDPI) and CEOs of district panchayats of all districts through video conference on Friday. meeting to review.
Home Minister Araga Gyanendra told reporters after the meeting, “From Monday, high school classes up to class 10 will resume in the state. In view of this, instructions have been issued that no untoward incident should happen. The DCs and SPs in sensitive areas have to visit the educational premises and instruct the officers and teaching staff there to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.”
Gyanendra further said that the local administration has been empowered to act according to the situation and take immediate measures instead of waiting for orders from above. Meanwhile, the police administration in Udupi conducted a flag march in view of the opening of schools from Monday. (agency)