What Was Karnataka’s 2022 Hijab Order, Why Was It Withdrawn And What Changes Now?

Karnataka’s Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has withdrawn a February 2022 order that restricted religious attire like hijabs in schools and pre-university colleges. The new guidelines permit students to wear symbols such as hijabs, turbans, janivara (sacred thread), rudraksha, and shivadhara, provided they do not disrupt discipline or safety. The 2022 order, issued by the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, mandated strict uniform compliance and barred clothing deemed inconsistent with ‘equality and public order.’ It sparked protests after Muslim students in Udupi district were denied entry for wearing hijabs, leading to clashes with Hindu students wearing saffron shawls. The controversy escalated into a debate on religious freedom, equality, and institutional discipline. The new policy clarifies that no student can be barred from classrooms or exams for wearing permitted symbols alongside uniforms. The reversal follows legal and public pressure, addressing concerns that the original order disproportionately targeted Muslim students while failing to account for broader religious practices. The issue originated in Udupi, where Muslim students argued hijabs were part of their religious identity, while Hindu students protested the perceived favoritism. Courts later intervened, but the political and social tensions persisted until the current government’s decision to relax restrictions. The change reflects a shift toward balancing religious expression with institutional norms, though challenges may remain in enforcement across government, aided, and private schools.