New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has announced 'Y category' security cover for the judges of the Karnataka high court who delivered the 'hijab ban' verdict.

In a controversial and heavily criticised verdict, a three-judge bench of the court consisting of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit and Justice J.M. Khazi had on March 15 dismissed petitions filed by Muslim girl students of pre-university colleges, seeking permission to attend classes without having to take off their hijab.

The issue and verdict saw protests across the state, with Muslim girls noting that the verdict would affect their right to education adversely. A larger conversation on religious freedom has also gained nationwide traction. There have been counter-agitations mobilised by rightwing Hindu groups.

Bommai's announcement comes a day after an FIR was registered by Vidhana Soudha Police based on a complaint lodged by the Karnataka Bar Association against an unknown individual over an alleged video clip circulating on social media platforms of a man speaking in Tamil and "issuing death threats" to the three judges, the news agency PTI has reported.

"This is one of the alarming signs in democracy and we should ensure that these kinds of anti-national forces don’t grow. Law and order are in place in the country because of the judiciary,” Bommai said outside his residence on Sunday, according to Indian Express.

Stating that his government has taken the matter seriously, he has ordered the Director General of Police to look into the case and take the person arrested in Tamil Nadu into custody for investigation.

Bommai also appeared to direct anger at what he labelled were "pseudo secularists".

"Death threat is being given to judges against the orders passed by them. Also, hints have been given about the possible threats, like an accident and other things...You pseudo secularists raise your voice on other issues. Appeasing a section of society is not secularism, it is real communalism. I condemn it. Break your silence. We should all be together on this issue. It is because of the judiciary that the law and order is maintained to a large extent today. If it is being challenged, it is a threat to our democracy," he said, according to PTI.

Bommai on Saturday had said a decision on introducing Bhagavad Gita in school educational curriculum will be taken after discussions after BJP-ruled Gujarat on Thursday announced that the Gita will be a part of the school syllabus for Classes 6 to 12 across the state from the academic year 2022-23.

In recent times, Karnataka has made news repeatedly over communal incidents targeting Muslim and Christian minority residents. Reports across media, including on The Wire, have noted the climate of fear that occupied minorities' lives even before the state government's effective hijab ban worsened tensions.

Bommai also said that "some anti-national forces are trying to challenge the system of this country" and that this had never happened in the past.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he also said everyone should obey the verdict of the judiciary and there is every opportunity in the system for appeal.

"Yet, some forces are trying to incite people against the system, which will not be tolerated and will be suppressed," Bommai said.

PTI has reported that Tamil Nadu police have arrested an office-bearer of an organisation called Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaat (TNTJ) in Madurai for allegedly issuing death threats to judges in a video in which he referred to the mowing down of a judge in Jharkhand.

(With PTI inputs)

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