Karnataka

The controversy erupted after Zawahiri in a nine-minute video praised Muskan, a college student from Mandya district, for raising the slogan 'Allahu Akbar' to counter a mob chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' in the college premises at the height of the hijab crisis in Karnataka. In the video titled 'The Noble Woman of India', Zawahiri could be heard reciting a poem he composed to praise Muskan.

Although Karnataka and especially its capital Bengaluru have witnessed violence, communal clashes and terrorist strikes in the past, never in its history has the state faced a similar situation. The growing demand for banning Muslim merchants from the temple premises, religious fairs, 'halal' meat, Muslim mango traders, artisans, transporters and drivers and banning the hijab by Hindutva forces has suddenly put the peaceful state under the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

In a detailed conversation with IANS on the hijab, 'halal' meat and the use of loudspeakers for Azaan, Ravi said that the BJP is not against any community or religion but it was the opposition who is trying to create a rift in the society. Referring to the hijab controversy which broke out in Karnataka, Ravi said that they are not against the hijab but they are in favour of following a uniform dress code in educational institutions.

Chief Minister Bommai, after concluding his recent New Delhi trip, on Thursday said that that the matter of cabinet expansion had been discussed with the party leaders in detail. The senior leaders have informed that they will talk about it during the state executive committee meeting on April 16 and 17 at Hospet in newly formed Vijayanagar district.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who is reaching New Delhi on Tuesday, is expected to take final instructions from the high command. The aspirants of cabinet positions from the state have also reached the national capital to rally support for space in the cabinet. According to sources in the BJP, the party is contemplating to fill four vacant cabinet berths as well as drop more than five cabinet ministers.

First it was the cow slaughter ban, then the anti-conversion bill, later the hijab row; then it was the murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha followed by the proposal to introduce the Bhagavad Gita in the school syllabus; strict implementation of the hijab verdict by not allowing Muslim students wearing hijab into exam rooms; announcement on celebration of Ugadi festival as 'Dharmikadina'; ban on Muslim traders at Hindu religious fairs and temples for protesting against the High Court verdict on wearing the hijab.

The issue came up when Speaker Kageri and Revenue Minister R. Ashok pulled the leg of Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, saying why he is always saddened about RSS so much. Siddramaiah replied that he is not saddened by the RSS, and said that RSS stands for 'Rashtriya Sevak Sangh' and is it wrong to take the name of RSS?

The Karnataka government has expressed its helplessness over reining in online gambling in the state. The High Court had recently given directions striking down guidelines framed by the government criminalising online gaming and betting.

The anti-conversion Bill, which was tabled and passed in the state Legislature Assembly, is yet to be presented before the Legislative Council. The BJP attempted to present it on the last day of the winter session in Belagavi, however, as the opposition raised a strong objection for presenting the bill in the council without bringing it first on the agenda. The council session ended after witnessing a high drama.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday said if his party, JD(S) is voted to power in 2023 assembly elections, his government will pass a resolution in the state legislature against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).  Former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D.