BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal Detained During Protest Over Hijab Policy in Vijayapura
Police take preventive action after Yatnal and his supporters attempt to distribute saffron shawls near an educational institution.
A tense situation unfolded in Vijayapura on Friday when BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and several of his supporters were taken into preventive custody by police near Darbar Educational Institution.
The action came after Yatnal and members of his group arrived at the campus with plans to distribute saffron shawls to students. The move was intended as a protest against the Karnataka government’s recent decision allowing students to wear religious symbols and attire, including the hijab, in educational institutions.
According to reports, the arrival of the BJP leader and his supporters led to disagreements with the institution’s management. Police officers stationed at the location intervened to prevent the situation from escalating and to maintain order around the campus.
As tensions rose, supporters of Yatnal raised slogans in support of their cause. Police subsequently detained the MLA and several activists, citing concerns over law and order. Some protesters attempted to block police vehicles during the operation, resulting in brief disruptions before security personnel cleared the area.
Additional police forces were deployed around the institution and nearby locations to ensure normalcy and prevent any untoward incidents.
Before being detained, Yatnal criticized the state government’s policy, arguing that if religious attire is permitted for one community, students from other communities should also be allowed to display their religious identity through symbols such as saffron shawls.
Authorities later confirmed that the situation was brought under control and that preventive measures were taken solely to avoid any disturbance in the sensitive educational environment.