New Delhi: A first information report (FIR) has been registered against journalist Rana Ayyub in Karnataka’s Dharwad for allegedly describing those who have opposed Muslim girls wearing hijab to schools as “Hindu terrorists” during an interview.
According to The Hindu, the FIR was registered at the Vidyagiri police station under Section 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) following a complaint by a volunteer for a group called “Hindu IT Cell”.
A Telegraph report said that Ayyub allegedly made these comments during a BBC interview in early February. Several Karnataka colleges have barred Muslim students who wear the hijab from entering the premises. The Karnataka high court concluded hearing petitions that challenged the ban and is expected to pronounce its order soon.
According to The Telegraph, Ayyub told the BBC, “For decades, students across the religious spectrum have been wearing their symbols of faith. Sikhs wear their turban to school; Muslim girls were allowed to wear the hijab to the school.”
“These girls have been wearing the hijab for a very long time — it is not for the first time — so why suddenly has this group of young Hindu vigilantes, Hindu terrorists for that matter, who are hoisting saffron flags in an education complex in Karnataka? Why are students, why are male students, furling the saffron flag in an educational institution? What does that mean?” she asked.
Recently, the Enforcement Directorate attached over Rs 1.77 crore in Ayyub’s bank deposits for alleged irregularities in charitable funds raised from public donors for COVID-19 relief. The journalist denied these allegations, saying “no part of the relief campaign money has been used for any other purpose” or towards her personal expenses. The Wire
