Karnataka Minister Claims Al Qaeda Video Proves 'Unseen Hands Behind Hijab Row'

Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra stated on Wednesday that Al-Qaeda commander Ayman Al Zawahiri's video comment on the hijab issue, in which he praises student Muskaan Khan for wearing a hijab and shouting "Allah-hu-Akbar," demonstrates the participation of "unseen hands" behind the row.

He stated that authorities from the Home and Police departments are keeping an eye on developments and tracking matters in this regard.

"We have been saying this from the beginning, and the High Court too during the hijab verdict had suggested the possibility of some unseen hands behind the hijab row...now it is proved, because Al-Qaeda people are now releasing videos," Mr Jnanendra said in response to a question about Zawahiri's praise for Ms Muskaan.

"How things are happening, what is the link. All these things are being looked into by the police...they will find out "He continued.

Muskaan Khan, a second-year BCom student in Mandya, was heckled by a group of students wearing saffron shawls for entering the campus wearing hijab during the height of the hijab dispute in February.

Ms Muskaan shouted "Allah-hu-Akbar" as they shouted "Jai Shri Ram." Following this, college officials stepped in and got the situation under control.

Higher Education Minister C N Ashwath Narayn said, "action will be taken against organisations and people linked to them" in response to a terror group's intervention into domestic affairs.

He stated that the state government had not enacted any laws prohibiting any community's traditions and was only obeying the law.