Bengaluru:  Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra asserted that a video statement was released by Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al Zawahiri on hijab row and appreciated Mandya student Muskaan Khan who chants Allah-hu-Akbar has proved the government doubt that unseen hands behind the Hijab row.

After the Al-Qaeda video release, Home Minister has directed the police officers to keep eye on development and also persons linked to such developments.

"We have been saying this from the beginning, and the High Court too during the hijab verdict had suggested the possibility of some unseen hands behind the hijab row...now it is proved, because Al-Qaeda people are now releasing videos," Mr Jnanendra said in response to a question on Zawahiri praising Ms Muskaan.

To defence herself from aggressive saffron clads Hindu students, Muskaan, a student of first-grade college in Mandya had chanted the Allahu-hu-Akbar slogan. All-Qaeda chief has praised her for protecting herself from violent Hindu students.

"How things are happening, what is the link. All these things are being looked into by the police...they will find out," Mr. Jnanendra added.

During the Hijab row at its peak in Karnataka in February, Muskaan Khan, a second-year BCom student in Mandya was heckled by a group of students, wearing a saffron shawl, for entering the college with a hijab.

As they approached her by shouting "Jai Shri Ram", Ms Muskaan retorted by shouting "Allah-hu-Akbar." Following this, college authorities intervened and brought the situation under control.

Higher Education Minister Dr. C.N. Ashwathnarayan also stated that "action will be taken against organisations and people linked to them".

He said the state government has not brought any legislation against practices of any community and was only following the law.

BREAKING: New video speech by al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri appears to confirm he is alive, given reference to demonstrations in India over women wearing hijabs, which emerged in early 2022. He even references specific event from February 2022. pic.twitter.com/tMYvKvbNwp

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 5, 2022