New Congress Govt May Overturn Hijab Ban In Karnataka

Bengaluru: The recently sworn-in Congress government in Karnataka will have a relook at some of the laws passed by its predecessors.

Priyank Kharge, one of the ministers inducted into CM Siddaramaiah’s Cabinet, said on Wednesday that the orders which are “against the state’s interest” would be revised or withdrawn after the government reviews them, PTI reported.

The legislations and orders in question, passed by the BJP regime, include hijab ban, school textbook revision and anti-conversion laws.

There have been demands to overturn the hijab ban from various quarters.

Priyank, without making a direct comment on the issue, said the state government will be having a look at all the policies of the previous government which are against the Constitution, against the spirit of building the society, and against the inclusiveness of the society.

“We will have a relook at every policy matter that the previous government brought in,” said Priyank, the son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

“The 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, anti-conversion bills (laws), all of them will be revised,” Priyank stated.

“All those bills (laws) and orders that hamper the economic progress of Karnataka, its prosperity, and will affect Kannadigas, will be withdrawn.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,” Priyank added.

In a controversial decision, BJP government in February last year banned clothes which “disturb equality, integrity and public order” in schools and colleges.