Chief Minister Siddaramaiah planning to remove ban on Hijab in Karnataka

Choice of dress and food is personal – Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

(Hijab is the cloth worn by a Muslim woman to cover her head and neck)

Bengaluru (Karnataka) – The Congress Government in Karnataka has ordered to lift the ban on hijab that has been in force in the State for the last 1.5 years. The previous BJP-led Government of Basavaraj Bommai had banned the wearing of hijab in schools and colleges in Karnataka. Now Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed the officials to lift this ban.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that BJP is trying to create division in the society based on clothes and caste lines. Women can go to college wearing hijab. Choice of clothing and food is personal. Why should I disturb it ? Dress the way you want. Eat what you want. I wear dhoti, you wear pants and shirt. What is wrong with this ? Do not do politics for votes.

The history of hijab case

February 2022 : 6 female students wearing hijab were denied entry to classes in a college in Udupi in the state. The repercussions of this case were not only in the country, but worldwide. Many Islamic countries had criticized the Indian government over this.

March 2022 : In the case of hijab ban, the Karnataka High Court ruled in the favour of the ban. The court had expressed a clear opinion that ‘wearing hijab is not part of the essential religious acts of Islam, nor does it fall under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution which grants religious freedom’.

Later, many educational institutions in the state started banning hijab. Following that, the then government of Basavaraj Bommai banned the hijab in all schools and colleges. At that time, Bommai had said that any outfit that creates an obstacle to equality in the country, as well as public law and order, will not be accepted.

October 2023 : Karnataka Government allowed Muslim students to wear hijab in competitive exams. India is a secular country. Therefore, people have the freedom to dress as they want,” said the Karnataka Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar.

The Hijab case is currently pending in the Supreme Court.

Discrimination among the youth based on religion – BJP

On this decision of Congress, BJP state president BY Vijayendra said that the Government is trying to create discrimination based on religion in the minds of the youth. This will affect the inclusive environment in the colleges. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s decision to lift the ban on hijab is worrisome in view of the secular nature of our educational institutions. It is important to prioritise education over divisive practices, as well as foster an environment where students can focus on learning without the influence of religious practices.