Sri Rama Sene leader Pramod Muthalik has announced that his organization will distribute shawls to students in schools and colleges across Karnataka starting June 1. This move comes amid the state government's decision to roll back the hijab ban in educational institutions.
Criticism of Congress government
Addressing media persons on Thursday, Muthalik criticized the Congress party, accusing it of engaging in appeasement politics. He claimed that the Congress faced opposition from the Muslim community after denying a ticket to a candidate in the Davangere South assembly constituency during the bypolls. According to Muthalik, the government's decision to lift the hijab ban is an attempt to win back Muslim voters.
Details of the shawl distribution
Muthalik stated that the shawl distribution campaign will begin on June 1 and will cover schools and colleges across the state. The initiative is intended to promote cultural identity and counter what he described as the government's divisive policies. He emphasized that the shawls will be distributed irrespective of religion or caste, but the timing is significant given the recent controversy over the hijab ban.
The Sri Rama Sene, a right-wing Hindu organization, has been involved in several controversies in the past, including attacks on pubs and protests against Valentine's Day celebrations. Muthalik has been a vocal critic of the Congress government's policies, particularly those related to religious practices in educational institutions.
The Karnataka government's decision to roll back the hijab ban earlier this month sparked mixed reactions. While some hailed it as a step towards religious freedom, others, including the Sri Rama Sene, viewed it as a concession to Muslim fundamentalism. The shawl distribution is seen as a counter-move to assert Hindu cultural symbols in educational spaces.
