Nanjangud: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Friday that his Government will withdraw the ban on hijab in educational institutions. Speaking after inaugurating the new Police Station buildings at Kavalande, Jayapura, and Antharasanthe in Nanjangud taluk, Mysuru district, the CM announced this decision.

Later in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in Kannada, he directed officials to lift the hijab ban, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of dividing society based on clothing and caste.

He tweeted: “I have told (officials) to withdraw the hijab ban.”  The ban was first imposed by the BJP Government in the State’s educational institutions in 2022.

Speaking at Nanjangud, Siddaramaiah also said that it is a personal choice to wear the kind of dress one wants. “Dressing and eating food is our choice, why should I object? Wear whatever dress you want, eat whatever you want, why should I care. We should not do politics to get votes, we don’t do that,” Siddaramaiah said.

Vijayendra objects

Reacting to this, Karnataka State BJP Chief B.Y. Vijayendra said, “CM Siddaramaiah’s decision to withdraw the hijab ban in educational institutions raises concerns about the secular nature of our educational spaces. By allowing religious attire in educational institutions, Siddaramaiah Govt. is promoting dividing young minds along religious lines, potentially hindering the inclusive learning environment. It’s crucial to prioritise education over divisive practices and foster an environment where students can focus on academics without the influence of religious practices.”

The controversial ban, imposed by the BJP Government in February last year, had faced significant opposition, with numerous students challenging the order in the Karnataka High Court. In March last year, the Court upheld the ban, asserting that wearing a hijab was not an essential religious practice of Islam.

The issue reached the Supreme Court in October 2022, resulting in a split verdict. Justice Hemant Gupta, now retired, upheld the ban, stressing its role in promoting uniformity and a secular environment in classrooms. In contrast, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia set aside the orders, stating that the right to wear the hijab in classrooms was a matter of personal choice and a fundamental right.