Bengaluru, 5 Sept

Karnataka government has withheld its decision to bestow the best teacher award on a Principal of a government college over his alleged anti-Hijab stand at the peak of the head scarf row in the state two years ago, sources in the Education Department said on Thursday.

Ramakrishna BG, Principal of the Government Pre-University College at Kundapura in Udupi district, was supposed to receive the honour today on Teachers' Day but the decision was kept on hold after the Congress government drew flak from some activists of the Muslim community, the sources said.

"The reason behind the anger against the teacher is his alleged stand during the hijab row," a Department official said. "The government had earlier announced his name but now it has been withheld," a source said.

Ramakrishna was not available for comment.

Reacting to the development, Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa clarified that the award is only withheld and not cancelled.

BJP MLA TS Srivatsa  condemned the State government decision of withholding best principal award for Kundapura Government pre university college principal BG Ramakrishna over hijab row.

Speaking to reporters here, he asked the State government must such stop the activity of differentiating the teachers and principals as they play a crucial role in shaping the future citizens of the country.  -PTI/Salar News