Bengaluru: The noxious controversy over hijabs in Karnataka’s schools and colleges is “unnecessary and not in the interest of peace and harmony”, the Ramakrishna Ashram in the state’s Karwar has said, defending a lawyer who has faced attacks for representing Muslim students in the case.
Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, who has been targeted by right-wing commentators for citing Islamic scriptures to defend students fighting for the right to wear hijabs in schools and colleges, has done no disservice to the Hindu religion, the ashram’s top priest has said in a statement.
“An unnecessary discussion is going on about the dress code of Muslim girls in Schools/Colleges, and, I am pained to witness a raging controversy in this regards at different levels of the Society. This is certainly not in good taste, and, in the interest of peace and harmony in the Society,” Swami Bhaveshanand said.
“I am more pained to observe that the name of Shri Devadatt Kamat – Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court is being dragged in this controversy simply because he represented a party in the Court as an Advocate,” he said.
“Some elements are trying to brand him as supporting a cause against Hindu Religion. This perception is absolutely uncalled for and baseless. A lawyer representing a client in the court has to do his duty and justice to his client’s cause. That is a professional duty and responsibility. It cannot be branded as a cause against the Hindu Religion,” Swami Bhaveshanand added.
Calling the attacks on Mr Kamat “unjustified and orchestrated baseless propaganda that is being perpetrated by some unscrupulous elements,” the priest applauded the advocate’s antecedents as a “devout follower of Shri Ramakrishna Vivekanand Philosophy”.
