NEW DELHI — Muskan Khan, who became one of the most recognisable faces of the Karnataka hijab controversy in 2022, is now preparing to resume her B.Com studies after recent relief linked to the hijab restrictions.
Muskan, whose image during the protests drew national attention, hopes to finally complete her education while continuing to wear the hijab, something her family says should never have come in the way of a student’s future.
Speaking to the media, her father Bashir Khan said he remains proud of the courage his daughter displayed during one of the country’s most heated debates on education and religious identity.
“What happened with her in 2022, and the way she responded to the crowd by raising the slogan of Takbir, made her a symbol for many young girls,” he said.
Muskan came into the spotlight after videos from Karnataka showed her entering her college campus surrounded by a group of young men shouting slogans. Her response quickly became a widely discussed moment across India and placed her at the centre of the debate over hijab restrictions in educational institutions.
Despite the controversy and public attention, Bashir Khan said the family always encouraged her to continue studying.
“We stood by our daughter throughout. Since 2022, she has continued her Islamic education at home while also preparing for her B.Com examinations,” he said.
According to him, Muskan was invited to several schools, colleges and madrasas after the controversy, where she interacted with students and spoke about the importance of education.
“She always gave one message wherever she went — education is the path to identity and empowerment. She spoke about ‘Iqra’ and reminded students that learning is necessary for the future,” he added.
Bashir Khan also explained why Muskan had earlier decided not to appear for her B.Com examinations despite preparing for them.
“We did not want further tension or unrest because of the issue. We felt the matter could affect the studies of other students as well, so we chose not to move ahead with the examination process at that time,” he said.
Now, with restrictions easing, the family says Muskan is preparing to appear for her final-year B.Com examinations and hopes to complete the academic journey that was interrupted during the controversy.
The family also spoke about the larger impact the hijab row had on Muslim students in Karnataka.
“Because of the hijab ban, nearly 18,000 girls in Karnataka could not take examinations at that time. Many students suffered educationally,” Bashir Khan claimed.
He expressed hope that Muslim girls would now be able to pursue education without fear or discrimination.
“We hope students like Muskan can now move forward in education while keeping both their hijab and their identity,” he said.
The Karnataka hijab controversy had sparked intense debate across the country over religious freedom, constitutional rights and access to education. Muslim organisations and civil rights groups argued that the restrictions disproportionately affected Muslim girls and disrupted their academic futures.
For many families, Muskan Khan came to symbolise the struggle to continue education without compromising religious identity.
After years of uncertainty, her family says she now wants to focus on studies once again and finally complete the degree she had once put on hold.
