Karnataka Allows Students to Wear Faith-Based Symbols in Schools; Reverses 2022 Hijab Ban

The Congress government revoked the 2022 order and issued a directive permitting limited traditional and faith-based attire such as hijabs and turbans to be worn along with prescribed uniforms in government, aided, and private schools and pre-university colleges. Uniforms remain mandatory; symbols must be supplementary and cannot change the basic uniform. The directive lists symbols including Peta/Turban, Janivara/Sacred thread, Shivadaara, Rudrakshi, and Headscarf, and states no student shall be denied entry for wearing such symbols. All conflicting circulars are deemed void.

The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on the hijab matter, with one judge upholding the restrictions and the other ruling in favor of the petitioners. The case was referred to a larger bench for resolution.

The Karnataka High Court upheld the government's position, ruling that the hijab was not an essential religious practice under Islam and affirming the authority of educational institutions to enforce dress codes.

The state government issued an order directing students to follow uniforms prescribed by educational institutions. In places where no official uniform existed, students were instructed to wear clothing consistent with 'equality, integrity and public order.'

The controversy first emerged at a government pre-university college in Udupi, where a group of Muslim students said they had been barred from classrooms because they wore hijabs. Similar disputes soon surfaced in other districts, triggering demonstrations by students both supporting and opposing the use of such headscarves.