Hijab row resurfaces in Karnataka, students protest wearing saffron shawl against girl wearing it

BENGALURU: The hijab controversy has resurfaced again in Karnataka. In a private college in Hassan district, a student arrived in the classroom wearing a hijab and some students protested by wearing saffron shawls. The incident took place at Vidya Soudha College on March 6. The video went viral on social media platforms. However, the principal dismissed the controversy and came to the scene.

“It wasn’t a hijab but some cloth that was worn that resembled a hijab. The student who wore it said she had an ear problem and hence covered her ear. We held a meeting with the student and parents, and they have agreed they will not repeat it,” the principal said.

The previous BJP government had banned the wearing of hijab in the classroom. There were reports that the Congress government would lift the ban.

On 2023 December 22, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the Congress government had decided to lift the hijab ban. However, even after months, no official orders have come.