In a significant statement made just days after assuming office as the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar vowed to put an end to moral policing and saffronisation in the state. He also promised to establish a corruption-free government, addressing a key concern that was believed to have contributed to the downfall of the previous BJP-led administration. Shivakumar’s remarks carry weight, given the recent controversies surrounding issues like the hijab, love jihad, and halal meat in Karnataka.
The hijab dispute erupted when a government-run Pre-University College for Girls in Udupi prohibited girls from wearing the hijab. The controversy took on political undertones as the BJP, which was in power at the time, supported the uniform-related rules of educational institutions, considering the headscarf a religious symbol. On the other hand, the opposition Congress supported the rights of Muslim girls to wear the hijab and accused the BJP and RSS of stoking communal tensions across the state. The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which issued a split verdict, leading to the consideration of a three-judge bench for the hijab case. Similarly, right-wing organizations urged Hindus to abstain from consuming halal meat during the ‘Hosa Tadaku’ festival, sparking another contentious issue.
The government’s response to the halal matter was limited, as the then-Home Minister stated that it fell within the realm of personal faith and sentiment rather than law and order. These issues, however, were not prominently raised during the recent election campaign in Karnataka. Former Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai dismissed them as settled matters and deemed them irrelevant to the elections. With his pledge to eliminate moral policing, saffronisation, and illegal activities, as well as his commitment to ensuring a corruption-free government, DK Shivakumar signals a potential shift in the state’s political landscape. As the newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister, he aims to address contentious issues and foster a more inclusive and transparent governance framework in Karnataka.