BENGALURU: The current Congress government has relaxed the hijab ban imposed by the previous BJP government in Karnataka. With this rule, students in Karnataka appearing for competitive exams for government services can wear hijab inside the exam hall. The government issued an order in this regard.

The order states that hijab will not be banned in Karnataka Administrative Examinations (KAE).

State Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar termed banning hijab a restriction of personal freedom. The minister said that the ban on hijab would be removed from other examinations in a phased manner, as the previous government had enacted legislation in this regard. To come out of this, certain constitutional measures are required.

In February last year, the government issued an order banning the wearing of religious symbols, including hijab and saffron shawls, in educational institutions. A widespread agitation followed and this order was upheld by a large bench of the High Court in March. Removing the hijab ban was the main plank by which Congress rode back to power in Karnataka. And now, the party has walked the talk.