The Karnataka government has officially withdrawn its 2022 order that restricted religious symbols in classrooms, including the controversial hijab ban, and issued a fresh policy allowing students to wear limited traditional and faith-based symbols along with school uniforms.
The decision revokes the earlier February 2022 order that had triggered widespread protests and a major legal and political debate across the state.
“No student will be denied education”: New Karnataka Order
The revised guidelines apply to government, aided, private schools and pre-university colleges across Karnataka.
The order states that students cannot be denied entry to classrooms, examinations or academic activities simply for wearing permitted religious or cultural symbols with uniforms.
It also clearly says that no student can be forced to wear or remove such symbols.
School authorities have been instructed to ensure that discipline, safety and student identification are not affected.
Hijab, Janivara, Rudraksha Allowed Along With Uniform
The government has listed several permissible symbols that students may wear alongside uniforms.
These include hijab, janivara (sacred thread), shivadhara, rudraksha beads and similar traditional or cultural items.
However, the order makes it clear that these symbols must remain secondary to the prescribed uniform and should not replace or disturb the uniform policy.
At the same time, the government has clarified that saffron shawls will not be permitted under this provision.
Schools Told to Follow Secular and Equal Rules
The order directs all institutions to implement the policy in a uniform, secular and non-discriminatory manner.
It stresses constitutional values such as equality, dignity, fraternity, secularism and scientific temper.
Educational institutions have been told not to harass or discriminate against students based on their attire.
All existing school or college rules that conflict with the new order will no longer be valid.
Education Minister Says Issue Must Not Affect Students
Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said the decision aims to ensure that personal beliefs do not interfere with education.
He said incidents in recent years showed that students were being asked to remove religious items, which caused distress to families.
“These things should not come between education and a student’s future,” he said.
Political Reactions Over Fresh Order
The decision has triggered sharp political reactions in the state.
BJP MLA Bharath Shetty criticised the move, calling it an attempt to divert attention from governance issues.
He argued that if hijab is allowed, other religious symbols should also be permitted equally in classrooms.
VHP leader Girish Bharadwaj also opposed the policy, saying it could revive tensions that had earlier led to legal and campus disputes.
Background: 2022 Hijab Controversy
The original 2022 order was issued after protests in Karnataka over Muslim students being denied entry to classrooms for wearing hijabs.
The issue escalated into a state-wide controversy involving counter-protests, court cases and national debate over uniform policies and religious freedom in educational institutions.
The Karnataka High Court had earlier upheld the restriction, while the Supreme Court later delivered a split verdict, leaving the issue unresolved at the larger bench level.
