The Karnataka government has postponed its decision to grant the "Best Teacher Award" to a principal from a government college due to his alleged anti-hijab stance during the headscarf controversy in the state two years ago. According to sources from the Education Department, this decision has been influenced by criticism from some activists within the Muslim community.
Ramakrishna BG, the principal of the Government Pre-University College in Kundapura, Udupi district, was initially set to receive the award on Teacher's Day. However, the Congress-led state government chose to withhold the award following backlash over principal's actions during the hijab row. "The reason behind the anger against the teacher is his alleged stand during the hijab row," stated a department official. "The government had earlier announced his name but now it has been withheld."
Award has only been withheld temporarily: Minister
Ramakrishna BG was not available for comment regarding the decision. However, Karnataka's Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Madhu Bangarappa, clarified that the award has only been withheld temporarily, not cancelled. He explained, "There was a government order regarding the issues those days it had happened. At that time, the behavior of the teacher was in question. That is the information I got after announcing the award. So, I have told the department to check that and get back to me. So, till then, it is only withheld. It has not been cancelled."
Decision not based on allegations or controversies
Bangarappa further stated that his department is not basing the decision on allegations or controversies but on verified information. He emphasized the need to investigate the matter thoroughly before making a final decision. "If he was wrong, I would have immediately cancelled the award. If he is right, then I would have already given it. When something is in question, it is my duty to check that, which I am going to do. That is what I have told my officers to do," he added. The minister also urged people not to politicize the issue.
Govt succumbed to pressure from jihadi elements: BJP
The controversy has sparked reactions from political figures, including BJP MLA from Mangalore City North constituency, Y Bharath Shetty, who criticized the government's decision. Shetty accused the Congress government of "insulting" a teacher by succumbing to pressure from what he described as "jihadi elements." He stated, "The Congress government in Karnataka has done a very shameful thing by withdrawing the best state-level teacher award to Ramakrishna BG. The state government had announced the award after following the checklist and found him eligible for the award."
Shetty further alleged that organizations such as the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and the Popular Front of India (PFI) influenced the government's decision. "The main reason behind withdrawing the award is that the jihadi elements, organizations like SDPI and PFI tweeted that this teacher should not be given this award because during the hijab issue he had stopped the students wearing hijab from entering the college," he said.
'Principal was merely following govt orders'
The MLA defended Ramakrishna, stating that he was merely following government orders as a public servant at the time. He expressed disappointment over what he called an "insult" to the teaching community, saying, "It is very insulting for the teaching community that you announce an award, and then you take it back because some jihadi elements are forcing you to do so."
As the situation continues to develop, the Karnataka Education Department is expected to conduct a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the controversy before taking further action on the award.
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