NEW DELHI: The Karnataka government on Friday said it will withdraw the ban on wearing of hijab in educational institutions which was imposed under the previous BJP rule.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah said that he has directed officials to withdraw the order, saying that women are free to wear hijab (head covering) and go anywhere.
“Hijab ban isn’t there anymore.(Women) can wear hijab and go anywhere … How you dress and what you eat is your choice. Why should I obstruct you?,” the chief minister said during a gathering in Mysore.
He also lashed out at the BJP government, accusing it of dividing people on the basis of clothes, dress and caste.
The Congress government in Karnataka had earlier hinted that it would withdraw the order after coming to power in May this year.
The hijab row had erupted after six students at the Government Pre-University College for Girls, Udupi, who were not allowed to enter their classrooms wearing the hijab, began a protest in December 2021.
The protests spread across the state, vitiating educational campuses in coastal and Malnad districts.
The previous BJP government had issued a circular prohibiting hijabs in schools and pre-university colleges in the state.
The matter reached the Karnataka HC, which upheld the decision of the state government.
The issue was later taken up in the Supreme Court where a two-judge bench pronounced a split verdict. The Supreme Court then said it would consider setting up a three-judge bench to adjudicate the matter.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah said that he has directed officials to withdraw the order, saying that women are free to wear hijab (head covering) and go anywhere.
“Hijab ban isn’t there anymore.(Women) can wear hijab and go anywhere … How you dress and what you eat is your choice. Why should I obstruct you?,” the chief minister said during a gathering in Mysore.
He also lashed out at the BJP government, accusing it of dividing people on the basis of clothes, dress and caste.
The Congress government in Karnataka had earlier hinted that it would withdraw the order after coming to power in May this year.
The hijab row had erupted after six students at the Government Pre-University College for Girls, Udupi, who were not allowed to enter their classrooms wearing the hijab, began a protest in December 2021.
The protests spread across the state, vitiating educational campuses in coastal and Malnad districts.
The previous BJP government had issued a circular prohibiting hijabs in schools and pre-university colleges in the state.
The matter reached the Karnataka HC, which upheld the decision of the state government.
The issue was later taken up in the Supreme Court where a two-judge bench pronounced a split verdict. The Supreme Court then said it would consider setting up a three-judge bench to adjudicate the matter.
