Bangalore: On Wednesday, September 4, the Karnataka Education Department withdrew the 'Best Principal' award previously slated for B G Ramakrishna, a key figure in the hijab controversy of the 2021-22 academic year. This decision came after significant criticism from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), which is associated with the banned terrorist outfit Popular Front of India.

Ramakrishna, who serves as the principal of Government Pre-University College in Kundapur, Udupi, was accused by the SDPI of instructing Muslim students wearing hijabs to stand outside in the sun during the hijab controversy while the BJP was in power in the state. The Karnataka government had initially planned to present the 'Best Principal' award to Ramakrishna and A Rame Gowda, principal of Hunsur PU College in Mysuru, as part of Teacher’s Day celebrations on September 5. However, following objections raised by the SDPI, the government decided to withdraw the award.

Ramakrishna, however, disputed the withdrawal, claiming that the Education Department cited 'technical issues' and did not provide a clear reason for the delay. He mentioned that the state administration had intended to honor him on Teachers’ Day. Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa addressed the issue, urging the media to avoid politicizing the situation. He explained that the committee responsible for the award had overlooked certain issues, prompting the temporary suspension of the award. He stated, “We have put the award on hold and instructed a re-evaluation. The concern revolves around how the children were treated.”

The SDPI's opposition to Ramakrishna's award was rooted in his alleged actions during the hijab controversy. SDPI Dakshina Kannada president Anwar Sadath Bajathur expressed on X, “A principal who forced Muslim students to stand in the sun over hijabs has no moral right to receive such an award.”

The hijab controversy began in December 2021 at a government PU college in Udupi and quickly spread throughout Karnataka. By February 2022, at least 28 students were barred from attending classes at Kundapur PU College for violating uniform rules. The Karnataka High Court later dismissed writ petitions filed by Muslim girls advocating for the right to wear hijabs in educational institutions, ruling that hijabs are not an essential practice of the Islamic faith. During the controversy, Ramakrishna is also reported to have received hate messages from unknown sources.

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