Top Karnataka news developments on February 8, 2022

Here are the key news developments in Karnataka to watch for

1. The High Court of Karnataka will hear the petitions filed by five Muslim girls studying in Government Pre-university College for Girls, Udupi district, seeking a declaration from the court that they have a ‘fundamental right to practice essential religious practices, including wearing of hijab (head scarf) as per Islamic faith, ín college premises. This comes in the backdrop of a over a section of Muslim girls being denied entry into classrooms for wearing hijab in Udupi district, which college authorities attributed to violation of the dress code. A group of Hindu boys have been turning up in saffron shawls demanding that they too should be allowed to wear markers of their religious identity, if hijab can be allowed, creating tension on campuses and suspension of classes.

2. Second day of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s two-day visit to Delhi. While discussions on pending projects and financial issues are the official reason for the visit, seeking permission for cabinet expansion or reshuffle is the more urgent reason, with pressure building from his party colleagues in Karnataka. Whether Mr. Bommai, who met Hone Minister Amit Shah on February 7, be able to meet party president J.P. Nadda today remains to be seen.

3. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has proposed increasing the extent of violations that can be regularised with a penalty ranging from 5% to 15%. A meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department, will seek inputs from Directorate of Municipal Administration before a final report is submitted to the government for approval.