'Considering Revoking It': Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's Clarification On Withdrawing Hijab Ban

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday clarified that the government has not taken a decision on lifting the ban on hijabs in educational institutions across the state.

"We haven't done it (revoking the Hijab ban) yet. Someone asked me a question (on lifting Hijab ban). I replied that the government is considering revoking it," CM Siddaramaiah said in Mysuru.

AP

Will the Hijab ban be lifted?

Asked whether it would be done this academic year, the CM said it would be done after discussing it at the government level.

The clarification comes a day after he said that there was no restriction on wearing the religious headscarf in educational institutions and observed that the choice of dress and food is personal.

2022 Hijab ban in Karnataka

In 2022, the previous BJP government banned the wearing of hijab in educational institutions in Karnataka, leading to widespread chaos, and many Muslim students had to drop out of schools and colleges due to harassment.

Some students and Muslim outfits had challenged the Hijab ban in the Karnataka High Court, and later, the Supreme Court sided with the government and said that the headscarf is not an essential practice in Islam.

BCCL

Muskan, a student from Mandya district in Karnataka who had become the face of the protest seeking permission to wear hijabs, welcomed the CM's statement.

"Hijab is our culture. It is our right. I believe that we will get the right. There should be no politics in education," Muskan said.

"Hijab is our religion, and we need to follow it. Because of the ban on hijab, many girls were forced to remain at their homes. I did not go to college for a year. Now, I am going to PES College. The others also should come out and take exams," She added.

What if others make similar demands

However, lifting the highly polarising ban will not be easy for the Karnataka Government as the BJP has already raised its objection.

AFP

"By allowing religious attire in educational institutions Siddaramaiah government is dividing young minds along religious lines, potentially hindering the inclusive learning environment," BJP Karnataka chief, Vijayendra, said.

BJP's former national General Secretary CT Ravi said that others, too might want to wear saffron and other shawls.

"If Muslim girl students are allowed to wear hijab, others will demand permission to wear saffron, blue or yellow shawls," Ravi said.

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