India
Islamic organisations in Karnataka have called for a peaceful bandh
Muslim organizations have decided to take to the streets in Karnataka on March 17 to protest the High Court’s judgment, which upholds educational institutions’ rights to outlaw hijab and declares that it is not an essential Islamic practice.
Several Muslim organizations, according to reports, have called for a bandh in response to the Karnataka High Court’s recent finding that the headscarf is not an “essential religious practice” in the Islamic faith.
The Ameer-e-Shariat, Maulana Sagir Ahmad Khan Rashadi, has called on all Islamic organisations to hold ‘peaceful’ protests across the state. All Muslim organisations in the state are led by the Ameer-e-Shariat. Maulana Rashadi expressed his “sadness” over the High Court’s hijab decision and urged all Muslims to carefully listen to the order he read out and follow it to the letter.
Rashadi added in a video message that the Muslim community wishes to voice their displeasure with the Karnataka High Court’s decision on hijab, thus on March 17, the entire state of Karnataka will be shut down for the full day. He also urged every segment of the Muslim community to join the bandh.
“Ensure success, and show the rulers that education and religious customs may coexist.” “Every justice-loving person and the Millat-e-Islamia are also urged to participate in the bandh,” Rashadi stated.
During the bandh, the Maulana also requested that the young remain calm. He urged Muslim teenagers to refrain from using slogans, violence, or forcible store closings. This bandh, according to the religious leader, would be entirely peaceful, silent, and solely to voice disagreement.
The Karnataka High Court ruled on Tuesday that the hijab is not an essential religious practice and upheld the state government’s order prohibiting the wearing of religious attire on the premises of educational institutions in a 129-page decision. It is said that schools and colleges have the legal authority to impose a uniform dress code on their campuses.
Meanwhile, a challenge challenging the Karnataka High Court’s decision has been filed in the Supreme Court. The plea will be heard by the Supreme Court following the Holi holiday.
Row over the hijab in Karnataka
Many Muslim students at a Pre University College in Udipi, Karnataka, petitioned the High Court to be permitted to attend lectures while wearing the hijab. They were denied access to classes, according to the college administration, because the hijab is not part of the college uniform and so cannot be worn in class. Since then, the students have been demonstrating while wearing burqas.
In December 2021, several Muslim students began wearing hijab and burqa to school and college in violation of uniform standards after meeting with the Campus Front of India (CFI), the student section of the Islamist organisation Popular Front of India (PFI). The pupils admitted to conversing with the CFI. According to the institution, there are over 90 Muslim students on campus, with the majority of them adhering to the clothing rule. However, a small group of students have chosen to wear hijab and have been advocating for the right to defy the clothing restriction for religious reasons.
Airlines may move flights to Navi Mumbai International Airport from summer 2027 as Mumbai airport prepares for Terminal 1 redevelopment.
The Shift
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has asked 12 international airlines to temporarily shift their flight operations to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) from the summer schedule of 2027.
The move comes as Mumbai airport prepares for the redevelopment of Terminal 1, which will affect its existing flight-handling capacity. Out of 50 international airlines that requested flight slots for the summer schedule, the airport has allocated slots to 38 airlines. The remaining 12 have been asked to consider operating from Navi Mumbai.
The affected airlines operate flights to 14 international destinations, including Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, Kathmandu and Dhaka.
According to reports, the proposed shift could affect around five million passengers annually, while nearly 91% of Mumbai airport’s existing passenger traffic will remain unaffected. The Terminal 1 redevelopment project is expected to increase its annual passenger-handling capacity from 15 million to 20 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2027 and is targeted for completion by March 2029.
Mumbai airport has assured airlines that their existing flight slots will be restored after the redevelopment work is completed. The move is aimed at distributing flight operations between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports while maintaining smooth passenger services during the construction period.
Residents can report noise pollution, illegal firecracker sales and violations of permitted bursting hours through ward-wise and toll-free helplines.
The Helplines
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has introduced a special complaint system to address noise and air pollution caused by firecrackers during Diwali. The civic body has announced separate helpline numbers for all eight administrative wards, along with two toll-free numbers for residents to register complaints.
The facility covers Belapur, Nerul, Vashi, Turbhe, Koparkhairane, Ghansoli, Airoli and Digha. Residents can report loud firecrackers, illegal sales and violations of pollution control guidelines.
As per the Bombay High Court’s directions issued on October 15, 2026, firecrackers are permitted only between 7 pm and 10 pm. Crackers producing noise above 125 decibels are prohibited. Firecrackers containing harmful chemicals such as barium, lithium, arsenic, lead and mercury are also banned.
The NMMC has urged citizens to follow the prescribed timings and avoid excessive use of firecrackers, highlighting the health risks associated with rising air and noise pollution during the festive season.
Residents can contact the following numbers for complaints:
- Belapur: 8976954881
- Nerul: 8976954882
- Turbhe: 8976954883
- Vashi: 8976954884
- Koparkhairane: 8976954885
- Ghansoli: 8976954886
- Airoli: 8976954887
- Digha: 8976954889
Toll-free helplines: 1800222309 / 1800222310
NMMC Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde has appealed to residents to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali and help keep the city pollution-free.
Residents question the driver over littering in public, prompting him to clean the stain; video of the incident goes viral on social media.
The Gutkha
A cab driver was confronted by a woman resident for allegedly spitting gutkha on Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing the driver eventually cleaning the spot after being questioned by residents.
The incident reportedly took place when a woman noticed the driver spitting gutkha on the road near his vehicle. She questioned him and asked him to clean the area. However, the driver initially denied the allegation and refused to take responsibility.
The argument intensified when two security guards joined the discussion and questioned the driver. The woman also pointed out that spitting in public places is punishable and can attract fines.
After initially refusing, the driver eventually poured water from a bottle and cleaned the gutkha stain from the road.
The video, shared on social media by Richa Sameet, has triggered discussions about civic sense and the responsibility of citizens to maintain cleanliness in public spaces.
The incident has also highlighted the problem of people spitting tobacco and gutkha on roads and other public places, despite rules against such practices. Residents have stressed the need for greater public awareness and responsible behaviour to keep Navi Mumbai clean.
Mumbai Airport Asks 12 International Airlines to Shift Operations to Navi Mumbai
NMMC Sets Up Special Helplines for Diwali Firecracker Pollution Complaints
Cab Driver Confronted for Allegedly Spitting Gutkha on Palm Beach Road
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