K’taka govt all set to overturn hijab ban

The new Congress government in Karnataka is all set to remove the ban on hijab in the state, sources said on Wednesday. The new government is waiting to settle down and complete the cabinet expansion. While campaigning for the May 10 Assembly polls, the Congress, especially Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, had vehemently stated that ban on hijab and all laws made on communal basis by the previous BJP government would be withdrawn once the party assumes power in the state. Asked about Amnesty International’s rising concern on hijab ban in Karnataka, DyCM Shivakumar on Wednesday stated in Vidhana Soudha, “I don’t want to comment on the matter of hijab as it is a policy matter.” However, Priyank Kharge, the cabinet minister addressing press reporters maintained that the Congress will withdraw the ban on hijab, halal cut and cow slaughter laws. Sources claimed that the party is all set to withdraw these laws, including the Anti-Conversion law brought by the previous BJP government. A decision will soon be taken on the construction of a 114-foot tall Jesus Christ statue in Kapalabetta near Kanakapura town. This is proposed to be the largest Christ statue in the world.