BJP MLAs slam Congress govt over rollback of uniform policy in Karnataka

Mangaluru: BJP MLAs D Vedavyas Kamath and YD Bharath Shetty criticised the Congress-led state govt over its decision to withdraw the uniform policy introduced by the previous BJP govt in schools and colleges.

Mangaluru City South MLA Kamath said the move would damage the academic atmosphere and weaken equality and unity among students. He argued that uniforms were meant to erase caste and religious differences, but accused the govt of encouraging divisions through “appeasement politics”.

He further alleged that withdrawing the hijab ban while the matter is pending before the Supreme Court amounted to disregarding the judicial process.

Criticising the govt for allowing hijabs while opposing saffron shawls, Kamath termed the administration “Tughlaq-style” and accused the Congress of following a “divide and rule” policy for vote-bank politics. He also said the govt was ignoring key issues such as shortage of teachers and lack of infrastructure in govt schools.

Mangaluru City North MLA Shetty echoed similar concerns, alleging that the Congress govt was creating divisions in educational institutions instead of promoting equality. He said the previous BJP govt had introduced the uniform policy to foster unity among students, but the Congress had now created confusion by withdrawing it.

Accusing the Congress of indulging in vote-bank politics through issues such as hijab, SIR, and withdrawal of cases against minorities, Shetty alleged that the govt had failed in ensuring development and maintaining law and order.

VHP urges youth to protest

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) condemned the decision to withdraw the hijab ban, calling it “appeasement politics” that could create divisions among students.

In a statement, VHP Pranta Sahakaryadarshi Sharan Pumpwell alleged that the govt was bringing religious divisions into educational institutions instead of preserving their sanctity and discipline. He claimed the move reflected an attempt to weaken the education system and urged youths to protest against the decision.

Sharan also said the VHP and its youth wings, Bajrang Dal and Durga Vahini, would protest against the govt.