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Withdrawal of ban on hijab in schools an attempt to Islamise education system, says MLA
MLA Yashpal Suvarna condemned the government’s withdrawal of a 2022 order that restricted hijab and other faith-based symbols in schools and PU colleges, calling it an attempt to Islamise education. He argued the move would create confusion and urged immediate rescission, linking it to past hijab controversies. The report recalls a 2021 hijab demand by students in Udupi and Suvarna’s role in the 2022 anti-hijab campaign.
Why It Matters
The piece highlights ongoing tensions between school uniform policies, religious symbols, and political decisions in Karnataka, reflecting broader debates on secularism and minority rights in India.
Timeline
5 Events
May 13, 2026: MLA Yashpal Suvarna's statement condemning the order
May 13, 2026
MLA Yashpal Suvarna expressed outrage against the government order permitting limited use of traditional and faith-based symbols, calling it an attempt to Islamise the educational system and urging immediate rescission; he argued the government should not use students’ lives for political purposes and noted past hijab controversies.
May 13, 2026: Withdrawal of the 2022 hijab ban order
May 13, 2026
The government issued a withdrawal of the 2022 order prescribing uniforms and banning faith-based symbols, effectively allowing limited use of traditional and faith-based symbols, including hijab.
2022: Government order prescribing uniforms and banning faith-based symbols (including hijab)
2022
A 2022 government order prescribed uniforms in schools and PU colleges and banned faith-based symbols, including hijab.
2022: Yashpal Suvarna spearheads anti-hijab campaign
2022
As vice-president of the Udupi Government Girls’ Junior College Development Committee, Yashpal Suvarna spearheaded the anti-hijab campaign in 2022.
December 2021: Hijab demand by six students at Government Girls’ Pre-University College, Udupi
December 2021
In December 2021, six students of the Government Girls’ Pre-University College in Udupi demanded permission to wear the hijab, creating controversy and confusion across the State and the country.