Karnataka Government Revokes 2022 Hijab Ban; Issues New Order Allowing Hijab, Janivara, and Religious Symbols

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Bengaluru : The Karnataka State Government has officially withdrawn the controversial 2022 uniform order and issued a landmark notification allowing students to wear religious and traditional symbols along with their uniforms. Issued on May 13 under the Karnataka Education Act, 1983, the new order applies to all government, aided, and private schools as well as Pre-University colleges. Students are now permitted to wear symbols such as the Janivara (sacred thread), Shivadhara, Rudraksha, Peta (turban), and Hijab (headscarf). The government specified that these symbols must complement the prescribed uniform and should not modify or replace the uniform itself.

This policy shift comes in the wake of a recent incident on April 24 at a college in Koramangala during the Common Entrance Test (CET), where officials reportedly asked students to remove their sacred threads before entering the hall. By revoking the previous BJP government’s order—which had effectively led to a ban on the Hijab in educational institutions—the current Siddaramaiah-led administration aims to settle the long-standing dispute that originated in Udupi and sparked nationwide debate. The new directive ensures that personal religious practices are accommodated within the framework of educational discipline.

Addressing a press conference, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa clarified that no student should be denied entry to classrooms, examination halls, or any academic activities for wearing these permitted religious symbols. He emphasized that the state would not tolerate any coercion, stating that no student can be forced to either wear or remove such symbols. The order underscores a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that students’ educational rights are protected regardless of their traditional or customary attire.