After the massive controversy over the ban of hijab in colleges of Karnataka, a legislator of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has urged the state government to ban madrasas, alleging that 'anti-national' activities are taught there.
"At madrasas, they don't teach about our visionaries, the leaders who have made sacrifices for the country. They only teach about Islamic (studies) there...," said Honnali MLA M.P. Renukacharya.
The legislator even questioned the need for madrasas when there are government-run schools where education that is required for the all-round development of a child is imparted.
Renukacharya alleged that 'anti-national' activities are taught in madrasas, which will have an 'adverse impact' on the minds of innocent children.
The MLA's statements came even as the hijab controversy has led to a religious polarisation in the state with Muslim vendors being denied permission to carry out business during annual temple fairs and religious events.
Hindu activists have said that the move is in retaliation to Muslims recently supporting a bandh against the Karnataka High Court verdict on the hijab issue. The protests showed their disregard for the law of the land and the judicial system in India, they said.
On March 15, the high court had dismissed a batch of petitions filed by students and maintained that wearing hijab is not an essential religious practice in Islam.
The high court order has been challenged in the Supreme Court while a section of Muslim girls continues to boycott classes and has indicated about skipping the board exams.
