Hijab row: Kerala CM says communal venom injected into students' minds in Karnataka

Thiruvananthapuram: Reacting to the ongoing Hijab controversy in neighbouring Karnataka, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged secular forces to take an uncompromising stand against communalism.

Vijayan said, “attempts are being made to inject communal venom into the minds of schoolchildren”.

“Educational institutions should emerge as fertile grounds of secularism. Our student days were not times of divisiveness. Students of all communities sat together in a classroom,” said Vijayan.

The CPM leader said that students' minds being corrupted with communal thoughts posed serious threats for the future. “But we must understand those communal elements want just that, they aim to create division. Secular groups must be vigilant and adopt an uncompromising stand against such communal elements.”

Vijayan was reminded of the social media hate campaign against Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan who was accused of spitting while paying homage to legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who passed away on Sunday.

“Shah Rukh Khan didn't go in secret to pay homage to Lata Mangeshkar. He paid his respects. But those with a communal mindset are trying to see how to communalise it. This is part of a collective effort and as a result, they intend to give rise to great dangers,” said Vijayan.

The hijab controversy had erupted last month at a government college in Udupi where students were asked to leave the campus for wearing headscarves that the management claimed were in violation of the stipulated dress code.

The issue soon spread to different parts of Karnataka with certain right-wing organisation allegedly riling up Hindu students to turn up in saffron shawls and turbans to protest the hijab-wearing students.