The Karnataka hijab ban row is not easy to resolve. The two-judge bench of Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on Thursday last, seeking indulgence of Chief Justice Lalit for setting up an appropriate bench. In his 73-page judgement Justice Dhulia set aside the Karnataka High Court order, which refused to lift the ban on hijab in educational institutions and quashed government order. He noted: “Venturing into essential religious practice wasn’t needed and the court took a wrong way. It was just a question of choice. One thing which was topmost for me was education of girl child…Schools are not required to have the discipline and regimentation of a military camp… It’s necessary to have discipline in schools. But discipline not at the cost of freedom, not at the cost of dignity.”
Whereas in his 140-page judgment, Justice Gupta said: “The schools run by the State are open for admission irrespective of any religion, race, caste, language or any of them…Even the Act (Karnataka Education Act-1983) mandates the students would be admitted without any restriction on such grounds. However, the students are required to follow the discipline of the school in the matter of uniform. They have no right to be in the school in violation of the mandate of the uniform prescribed under the statute and the rules.” With differing opinion, how soon will the CJI give appropriate directions is the obvious question. But a bigger one is as Justice Dhulia asked: “another question which school administration and state must answer is as to what is more important to them — education of a girl child or enforcement of a dress code…It’s common knowledge that a girl child primarily in rural and semi-rural areas has a lot of difficulties, has to do daily chores before she goes to school. There are other difficulties as well. Are we making her life any better?”
SS High & Low
Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray’s faction is both on cloud nine and down in the mouth. On Thursday last, Bombay HC directed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to accept a clerk, Latke’s resignation, allowing her to file nomination for Andheri (East) bypoll, as its candidate. Noting municipal commissioner has discretionary power to accept resignation and waive notice period, the court said “discretion is to be used for bonafide purposes. It’s use or non-use in this case is arbitrary and malafide.”(The BMC first sat on resignation letter of Latke, whose late husband was sitting SS MLA, and once she did it took no decision). The HC gave relief, but Election Commission has got Uddhav discouraged. In a letter to ECI, he alleged ‘bias’ in allotting party symbols and name as it didn’t give enough time to file its reply on Eknath Shinde’s claims to ‘bow and arrow’ symbol. Plus, it “uploaded its letter of giving preference for poll symbols and party names on its website, making it accessible to everyone, including rival faction.” Recall, last week, ECI barred both sides from using party name and symbol, till the case is settled. Uddhav got ‘SS-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’ as name and ‘flaming torch’ as symbol (not his first preference) and Shinde ‘Balasahebanchi SS’ and ‘two swords and a shield.’ Shinde has been given “a clear unfair advantage,” is Uddhav’s grudge. Or is he making ground for an upset in the first electoral test since the split?
Impunity Against Hate Speech
There’s no stopping hate speech. The national Capital, Delhi, confirms yet again the impunity with which calls for violence against Muslim community are being made. On Sunday last, the VHP’s Virat Hindu Sabha had two spiritual leaders Mahant Nawal Kishore Das, Yogeshwar Acharya and BJP leader Parvesh Verma indulging in crass hate speech. Shocking videos of their speeches went viral on social media. A sample: Acharya was heard saying, “We should target and kill them…If such people point fingers at our temple, don’t just chop off the fingers, chop off their hands. If need be, slit their necks. What’s the worst that can happen? A few people will be hanged. We should be mindful, target them and kill them.” Das urged Hindus: “Get guns. Get licenses. If you don’t get a license, don’t worry. Those who come to kill you, do they have licences? So why do you need a licence?” Verma said: “If you want to set their minds right, if you want to cure them, there is only one solution — complete boycott,” and administered such an oath! What action was taken? The Delhi Police chose only to file an FIR saying prior police permission was not sought for the event. Suggesting damn an SC observation that the atmosphere of the nation was being sullied by hate speeches and that they need to be curbed. Who will bell the cats?
Netaji & UP Politics
The passing away of the tall samajwadi leader Mulayam Singh Yadav popularly known as ‘Netaji’ is a not just a loss to Uttar Pradesh alone but Indian politics. At his cremation at native Saifai village, leaders across the political spectrum paid their respects. Though having worked tirelessly for uplift of weaker sections of society, the patriarch, failed on one front– bringing about a rapprochement between son Akhilesh Yadav and brother Shivpal. The bitterness between the two is well known with fissures appearing in 2012 and intensifying in 2016. However, with Netaji’s passing away there are hints of the estranged family members coming together. Shivpal has said: “Netaji had written a new saga of socialism. His ideology will be immortal. He used to take everyone along, I will also follow the same path.” Not only did he add he sees a “glimpse of Netaji in Akhilesh,” but he would handle whatever responsibility is given to him. Will Akhilesh respond? The challenge ahead of him is bigger now.
Gruesome Human Sacrifice
Not in God’s own country! The horrific case of ‘human sacrifice’ at Elanthoor in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala has sent shock waves across the country. The exhumed bodies of two women on Tuesday last with breasts of one chopped off and the other body cut into 56 pieces uncovers a pervert and sadist mind. Three prime accused were remanded to two weeks jail custody. Shafi (52), is the pervert, who exploited fears of Bhagaval Singh (68), a massage therapist and his wife Laila (59) over their financial troubles. He conspired to conduct human sacrifice to bring ‘prosperity in their life by pleasing the goddess in their favour’. Investigation so far reveals the first woman went missing on September 26 and a CCTV visual of her getting into a car with Shafi to the couple’s home, helped crack the case. On interrogation, police found the trio had murdered the second victim in June. One of the women was lured and brought to the Singh’s home by offering her Rs 15,000 for sex work and the other persuaded by promising Rs 10 lakh to act in a porn film. The victims were tied to a cot before they were killed and Shafi used a knife to inflict severe injuries on their private parts. Possibility of the trio being engaged in ‘cannibalism’ is also being probed. Punishment must send a strong message.—INFA
