Udupi: Karnataka’s Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on Saturday appealed to political parties to refrain from politicising education-related issues, saying students’ interests and futures must not be compromised.
Speaking in Udupi amid controversy over the state government’s decision to lift the ban on hijab and other religious symbols, Hebbalkar said pupils should not be dragged into political debates. “There should be no interference in education. Students are innocent. Parents send their children to schools and colleges to build their careers, and no political party should indulge in politics at the cost of students,” she said.
“We should not play games with the future of the student community. There should be a conducive atmosphere for students to learn,” she added, while declining to comment in detail on the controversy. She urged that matters relating to the hijab or any religious issue be handled sensitively, with students’ welfare foremost.
Hebbalkar also cautioned political leaders to be mindful of students’ education and prospects when pursuing political agendas affecting religious communities.
On banners declaring Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress president D.K. Shivakumar as the next chief minister, Hebbalkar said leadership choices were for the party high command to decide. “The banners are put up out of affection and love by supporters. I am a disciplined soldier of the party, and the matter will be decided by the high command,” she said, adding that any cabinet reshuffle or expansion would likewise be determined by party leadership. The banners reportedly bore images of her son, Mrinal Hebbalkar; Shivakumar is regarded as her political mentor.
Turning to the economy, Hebbalkar accused the Centre of ignoring warnings about a potential crisis. She said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had flagged the issue months earlier but alleged that the government had not acted. Commenting on the Prime Minister’s appeals to conserve fuel and curb consumption, she questioned what concrete measures the government had taken to tackle the situation.
“If Prime Minister Modi asks people to beat plates, people follow it. If he asks people to clap, they clap. Now he is asking people to minimise the use of diesel and petrol. Let us agree with that. But he is also asking people not to buy gold. The question is what measures the government itself has taken to address the crisis,” she said, adding that media coverage portrayed the Prime Minister as being “controlled by America and Russia.”
Hebbalkar criticised the timing of recent fuel price rises, alleging the Centre delayed increases during state elections and raised prices immediately afterwards. “They created an impression during elections that there would be no price hikes. Immediately after the elections, fuel prices were increased and people were advised to reduce fuel usage and avoid buying gold,” she said. She contrasted the present government with the UPA era under Manmohan Singh, claiming crude prices were higher then yet fuel prices were kept comparatively lower.
On allegations of money collection at government-run Anganwadi centres, the minister warned of strict action if misconduct was found. “If even Rs 1,000 is collected in government-run Anganwadi centres, an inquiry will be conducted, and action will be initiated. All expenses are borne by the government,” she said.
Commenting on law and order in the region, Hebbalkar said the situation had improved and claimed police officers had been given a free hand to act.
(Inputs from IANS)