Expressing gratitude, Muslim students hailed the move as a positive step.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — In a significant policy shift, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced the government’s decision to lift the controversial ban on wearing hijab in the state’s educational institutions.
The chief minister said officials have been instructed to withdraw the hijab ban, emphasising an individual’s right to choose their clothing, media reports said on Saturday.
The move immediately drew the wrath of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which accused Siddaramaiah of attempting to sow discord in society for political gains. The saffron party contended that the uniform policy promotes equality among students and accused the chief minister of divisive politics.
The government’s decision to end hijab ban comes after a tumultuous period marked by a month-long controversy in 2022 when the BJP government, led by Biswaraj Bommai, banned hijab in schools and colleges. The matter reached Karnataka High Court, which upheld the government’s decision, arguing that wearing hijab is not mandatory in Islam and supporting the enforcement of uniform dress in educational institutions. The Supreme Court later gave a split verdict, with one judge advocating for state power in enforcing uniforms and another affirming hijab as a matter of personal choice.
The Congress government’s decision to overturn the ban was met with enthusiasm among Muslim students who can now freely pursue their education without restrictions on their attire. Expressing gratitude, Muslim students hailed the move as a positive step.
BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra criticised the government for allegedly dividing the youth on religious grounds, expressing concern over the impact on the secular nature of educational spaces. He emphasised the need to prioritise education over divisive practices and create an inclusive learning environment free from the influence of religious considerations.
In a social media post, the BJP stated, “The chief minister is going to unleash the poison of bigotry in a peaceful society.” It accused Siddaramaiah of engaging in vote bank politics. The party strongly condemned what they view as appeasement politics, describing it as a practice of divide and rule adopted by the Congress party.
As the political discourse intensifies, the decision to revoke the hijab ban in educational institutions raises questions about the balance between personal freedoms and the maintenance of a cohesive and inclusive educational environment. The opposition and the ruling party are at loggerheads over the potential implications of this move on the state’s educational landscape.
