Cleric calls for day-long bandh against HC order

india (hindustan times) Mar 16, 2022 -The Muslim community in Karnataka will observe a day-long bandh on March 17 to protest against the high court ruling upholding the state government’s order prohibiting students from wearing religious attires, including hijab, in educational institutes, Maulana Sagir Ahmad Khan Rashadi, the ‘Ameer-e-Shariat Karnataka,’ said on Wednesday.  

Maulana Sagir Ahmad Khan Rashadi, who made the appeal, also said that the bandh would be observed peacefully, adding that there would be no forceful closing of shops.  

“I request all the Muslims to listen to my order attentively and implement it strictly. On March 17, there will be a complete bandh across Karnataka,” Maulana Rashidi said in a video message. He also described the high court order as ‘sad.’  

However, the senior cleric urged youngsters to stay peaceful during the agitation. “You should not impose the bandh by forcibly closing shops. There should be no sloganeering or processions. This protest will be completely silent, peaceful, and aimed at only expressing our anger against the verdict,” he said.  

The Karnataka high court on Tuesday upheld the ban on religious attires on campuses, observing in its 129-page order that hijab is not an Essential Religious Practice (ERP).