Hijab ban in Karnataka classrooms revoked; BJP govt’s 2022 order withdrawn
With this move, the Siddaramaiah government has implemented its election promise of restoring the use of hijabs by Muslim girl students, which had been banned by the previous BJP government
The Congress-led Karnataka government on Wednesday (May 13) withdrew the restriction order issued by the then BJP government in 2022, banning the wearing of hijabs in educational institutions.
Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and MLA Rizwan Arshad jointly announced the decision at a press conference in Bengaluru.
Also read: Karnataka govt bans head covers during recruitment exams, allows mangalsutras
Following the controversy surrounding the sacred thread (janivara), the state government revised the student dress code. It has issued a circular stating that clothing and symbols representing religious identity — including the sacred thread, rudraksha beads, and peta (traditional headgear) — may be worn. Likewise, hijabs will also be permitted in educational institutions.
Congress govt fulfils election promise
With this move, the Siddaramaiah government has implemented its election promise of restoring the use of hijabs by Muslim girl students, which had been banned by the previous BJP government. Using the janivara controversy strategically, the government has decided to establish that if wearing the sacred thread and peta is allowed, then hijabs too must be permitted.
Recently, during the Assembly by-election in the Davanagere South constituency, controversy arose over allegations that the constituency’s large Muslim population had been sidelined. Though the Congress won, its margin reportedly narrowed due to dissatisfaction among minority communities. Against this backdrop, political observers say the Congress government has attempted to repair damage to its minority vote bank by lifting the hijab ban, which was one of the Muslim community’s electoral demands.
Also read: Karnataka hijab ban costs Muslim girls access to education, peace of mind
After the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah came to power in 2023-24, it announced that the hijab ban order would be withdrawn. However, no action had been taken until now. The state government has now officially revoked the hijab restriction order and issued fresh directions allowing all forms of religious attire. In addition, it has permitted candidates appearing for CET and other competitive examinations to wear peta, sacred threads, and rudraksha beads, which had earlier been restricted.
Controversy during CET exams
The government order stated that the sacred thread is a symbol of religious tradition and that individuals’ customs and practices must be respected. Therefore, no action should be taken that insults or interferes with any religious observance.
In April this year, a major controversy had erupted in Karnataka after students appearing for CET examinations at centres in Bengaluru were allegedly asked to remove their sacred threads.
The government had taken action against a few CET examination centres, including Krupanidhi College in Bengaluru, in connection with the incident. Similarly, even in Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) examinations, instructions had reportedly been issued in admit cards prohibiting candidates from wearing mangalsutras and sacred threads.
What led to hijab ban?
At the beginning of 2022, Muslim girl students at a government PU college in Udupi were barred from attending classes wearing hijabs. Protests were held against the move, and several incidents of violence were also reported.
Also read: SC gives split verdict on hijab ban
On February 5, 2022, the then BJP government issued an order making uniforms compulsory in government schools and colleges, effectively prohibiting the wearing of hijabs and other religious attire.
Hearing petitions challenging the order, the Karnataka High Court upheld the ban, stating that “wearing the hijab is not an essential religious practice in Islam.”
A two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court later delivered a split verdict in October 2022 while hearing appeals against the High Court judgment. The matter was subsequently referred to a larger bench, and the case is still pending.
Sacred thread controversy that resurfaced
At the Krupanidhi College examination centre in Madiwala, Bengaluru, staff members who frisked more than five students, including candidate Anand Sudheer Rao, allegedly instructed them to remove their sacred threads. When they initially refused, they were reportedly threatened with being barred from entering the examination hall.
Eventually, the students removed their sacred threads and wrote the exam. The incident triggered widespread outrage across the state. As the controversy escalated, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) ordered an inquiry and suspended four staff members. The CET examination centre was also withdrawn from the college.
Similarly, in April 2025, students appearing for CET examinations in Bidar and Shivamogga were also allegedly asked to remove their sacred threads. The incidents sparked political confrontation as well.
Although Higher Education Minister Dr MC Sudhakar had clarified that there was no rule in the CET guidelines requiring candidates to remove sacred threads, the controversy resurfaced again.
(This article was originally published in The Federal Karnataka)