Karnataka scraps 2022 Hijab restriction imposed by previous BJP government

BENGALURU: In a significant policy reversal, the Congress-led Karnataka government has officially scrapped the controversial ban on hijabs in educational institutions, overturning a 2022 mandate established by the previous BJP administration.

The newly issued government order clarifies that students will no longer be restricted from sporting "traditional or religious identifiers" in addition to their standard uniforms. This move effectively nullifies the February 2022 directive that sparked nationwide debate and legal battles after several Muslim students in Udupi were denied entry to their classrooms for wearing headscarves.

The legal journey of the ban has been fraught with complexity. While the Karnataka High Court initially upheld the restriction on the grounds that the hijab did not constitute an essential Islamic practice, the Supreme Court later delivered a split verdict. Consequently, the legal validity of such bans remains under the purview of a larger judicial bench.

Political observers note the timing of the government’s order is particularly strategic. The announcement arrives on the eve of a planned convention in Bengaluru, where community leaders intended to protest the government's perceived delay in delivering on key manifesto promises. By lifting the ban now, the Siddaramaiah administration appears to be addressing long-standing grievances within its constituency while reaffirming its stance on educational inclusivity.