Soon after the chief minister’s announcement on Friday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised Siddaramaiah, accusing him of fanning religious discord.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Just a day after announcing repealing of the ban on hijab in the state’s educational institutions, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appears to have caved in to political upheaval across the country and backtracked on the issue.
At a public meeting in Mysore on Friday, Siddaramaiah declared the government’s intention to lift the ban on hijab in Karnataka, citing the issuance of instructions to that effect. However, in response to a recent inquiry, the chief minister clarified: “Someone asked me about lifting the ban on hijab. I stated that the government was contemplating canceling it. However, the issue has not yet been finalised,” reports reaching here said.
Soon after the chief minister’s announcement on Friday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised Siddaramaiah, accusing him of fanning religious discord. The state BJP President, BY Vijender, accused the chief minister of attempting to divide the state on religious lines. He further alleged that the Congress-led government was playing divisive politics and neglecting the education of children.
Within hours, the chief minister’s statement escalated into a nationwide political issue, with leaders from various parties expressing diverse views. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sole commented that the hijab controversy is an internal matter for Karnataka, and the chief minister has every right to make a decision. However, she urged that education should not become a pawn in political gamesmanship.
The BJP criticised the Congress for its alleged selective concern, claiming that while the party sought to remove the hijab ban, it remained indifferent to the plight of Hindu women who were reportedly forced to remove their mangalsutra and toe rings during examinations.
At the Mysore public meeting, Siddaramaiah targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning the inclusivity of his ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ (Together with all, Development for all) slogan. The Chief Minister alleged that the Modi government was sidelining certain religious communities.
Responding to the controversy, Miss Maskan, also known as the ‘Hijabi Girl,’ who gained attention for raising slogans of “Allahu Akbar” in response to sectarian slogans raised by Hindutva proponents, expressed gratitude towards the chief minister and other leaders for their support. She emphasised that hijab is a cultural right and called for unity, saying, “Hijab is our culture, it is our right. There should be no politics on education.”
As the political landscape heats up, the hijab controversy in Karnataka continues to be a focal point, raising questions about religious freedom, education, and the role of the government in shaping cultural practices.
