The statewide bandh called by some Muslim religious leaders against the High Court verdict banning hijab in classrooms received a lukewarm response in northern Karnataka on March 17.
Most offices, schools, colleges and business organisations in Belagavi were open. Some shops in old Belagavi, Azam Nagar, Shahu Nagar, Bauxite road and surrounding areas remained shut.
Police vans were stationed outside schools and colleges as a precautionary measure.
The prohibitory orders issued by Deputy Commissioner M G Hiremath, under CrPC 144, in the district were withdrawn with effect from March 17 noon. Notably, the DC’s order issued on March 14 had mentioned the time period of the restrictions as ‘indefinite’. The lifting of restrictions is being seen as an act of removing hurdles in the way of celebrating Holi.
In Vijayapura, some shops in the old city area, in the areas surrounding the Jama Masjid, and old Durgah Road were closed. But, most shops in the new city were open. Buses, commercial vehicles and private vehicles were running as usual.
Most shops, offices and industries in new Bagalkot remained open while a few offices in the old Bagalkot areas did not open.
The bandh had minimal impact in Hubballi and Dharwad with most office remaining open and commuters going around in buses and private vehicles.
The bandh call received a good response in Yadgir and Raichur districts. Businessmen and traders from the Muslim community closed their business establishments and shops to express solidarity on the hijab issue.
Only medical shops were open.. Auto drivers from the Muslim community did not serve customers. However, a few persons, who run their business on pushcarts, were seen selling fruits.
“The verdict of the High Court of Karnataka has upset us, as it is against Muslims. We pray that God hears our grievance and allows us to wear hijab in the coming days,” Layaq Hussain Badal, district president of Muslim Samaj in Yadgir, told The Hindu.
South Karnataka
Traders from the Muslim community across Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu districts did not open their shops and enterprises in response to the bandh call.
A majority of shops and businesses in Udayagiri, Mandi Mohalla, Sadawy Road, and Rajiv Nagar wore a deserted look. Even vehicle movement was skeletal for the greater part of the day.
Other areas where the impact of the bandh was perceptible included Meena Bazar, Pulikeshi Road, Mission Hospital Road, Nachanahalli Palya, and Ghousia Nagar. In areas where the businesses are owned by different communities, a majority of the shops owned by members of the minority community, remained closed, like on Ashoka Road.
The impact of the call for a bandh by Federation of Muslim Organisations in Chamarajanagar district was felt in Chamarajanagar town, Kollegal, Gundlupet, and Hanur. The bandh call received a positive response from members of the community in Kodagu. Security had been beefed up to prevent any untoward incident.
Coastal districts
Muslim traders and businessmen across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts did not open for business.
Old Mangaluru area, comprising the fishing harbour and Bunder trade area, Central Market and surrounding areas were deserted as a majority of the businessmen and traders in these localities are Muslims. Fishing activity at the harbour almost came to standstill with no buyers for the catch at the dhakke (jetty). City and service buses owned by Muslims did not operate during the day.
No business activity took place in areas where Muslims reside in large numbers, including Kudroli, Bengre, and Bolar, with shops belonging to members of the community remaining closed. Educational institutions run by Muslims did not function either.
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner N. Shashi Kumar, after visiting several areas in the city, said some people voluntarily did not conduct business on March 17. There was no attempt to forcibly close down business activities or obstruct normal life, he said. There was adequate deployment of police personnel to prevent any untoward incident. Life in the city went on as usual, he added.
In Udupi district, Muslims did not open business establishments. The District Muslim Okkoota had urged its members to support the call for a statewide bandh by not undertaking any business activity on March 17. Muslim traders and businessmen refrained from their usual activities in Udupi, Kundapur, Byndoor, Kaup, Padubidri, Karkala, and Shirva.
While almost all establishments remained shut on the Jamiya Masjid Road and Anjuman Masjid Road, vegetable market too remained almost inactive. The district police had made adequate arrangements to prevent any untoward incident.
In Bhatkal town bordering Udupi district, Muslim traders did not open for business. Educational institutions run by members of the community remained closed.
