Top News

Bengaluru: Taking a big decision on Wednesday, the Karnataka government withdrew the controversial order issued in the year 2022, under which wearing of hijab was banned in schools and colleges. According to the new order, now students will be able to wear some religious and traditional symbols along with the prescribed uniform. Let us know what orders the government has given.

Government gave instructions

The instructions issued by the government state that students of government, aided and private educational institutions, including pre-university colleges, can wear religious symbols like Hijab, Janeu, Rudraksha, Shivdhara and Sharavastra along with their uniforms. However, it has also been made clear that these things will be in addition to the uniform only and will not be considered as a form of uniform.

The order states that the use of such symbols should not affect school discipline, security arrangements or the identity of students. Along with this, no student will be prevented from attending class, examination hall or any educational activity merely on the basis of wearing hijab or other permitted religious symbol.

Can’t be pressured

The government has also clarified that no pressure can be put on any student to wear or not wear religious symbols. However, the dress code prescribed by the concerned authorities will remain in force during the examinations. Along with this, instructions have been given to the school and college administration that no student should be discriminated against, insulted or treated unfairly due to his attire.

When did the controversy start

Actually, this controversy started in Udupi district in late 2021, when some Muslim girl students alleged that they were not being allowed to enter the class wearing hijab. Within no time the matter spread across the state and protests took place at many places. This issue had even reached the court. Later, the then BJP government issued an order on 5 February 2022 and implemented the ban on hijab in educational institutions. Now the Congress government has issued a new order reversing that decision. The government says that the objective of this decision is to respect the religious freedom of students while maintaining the uniform system.