Muslim-owned commercial establishments remained shut in several parts of Karnataka on Thursday as a mark of protest against the high court ruling that wearing of hijab does not form a part of essential religious practice in Islam.
The bandh was observed following a call by Muslim leaders and the Karnataka ameer-e-shariat (chief priest), Maulana Sagheer Ahmed Rashadi, “to express our anger” against the high court order.
The bandh call was also supported by the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Campus Front of India (CFI).
The shutdown evoked a strong response in districts like Udupi – the epicentre of the original protests by students seeking to wear the hijab – and Dakshina Kannada.
Shops in Bengaluru’s DJ Halli and Shivajinagar localities also remained closed.
The Bhatkal region, considered a communally sensitive area, has remained tense ever since the high court verdict on Tuesday. At least four persons were booked by police on charges of forcefully shutting down businesses in the region that day.
“Around 300-400 shops owned by Muslims remained shut in Bhatkal town. We have done this voluntarily,” Dr Haneef Shobab from Bhatkal said.
“All shops are closed today to support the bandh call,” M Akram, a mechanic in Bengaluru’s Shivajinagar said.
