Suspended Honor: Best Teacher Award Halted Amid Hijab Controversy

The Karnataka government has paused its decision to award Principal Ramakrishna B G the best teacher award due to his contentious stance in the hijab row two years ago. The move follows criticism from Muslim community activists and has sparked backlash from the BJP.

The Karnataka government has paused its decision to award Principal Ramakrishna B G the best teacher accolade due to his contentious stance during the hijab controversy two years ago, according to sources within the Education Department.

Ramakrishna, who leads the Government Pre-University College at Kundapura in Udupi district, was set to receive the award on Teachers' Day. However, the decision was reconsidered after the newly instated Congress government faced backlash from some Muslim community activists.

'The reason behind the objections against the teacher is his alleged stance during the Hijab row,' a department official indicated.

BJP MLA Y Bharath Shetty condemned the government, terming it an insult to the teaching community and accusing the state of capitulating to 'pressure created by Jihadi elements.'

(With inputs from agencies.)