Bengaluru: In a recent announcement, Karnataka’s Higher Education Minister, Dr. M C Sudhakar, declared that Muslim students are now allowed to wear hijabs during competitive examinations within the state. This decision follows a progress review meeting presided over by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
During the meeting, Dr. Sudhakar provided an overview of the department’s ongoing efforts and confirmed that students who choose to wear hijabs during examinations will be granted permission to do so. However, he stressed the importance of these students arriving early at examination centers to facilitate thorough security checks, ensuring the integrity of the examination process and preventing potential malpractice.
Dr. Sudhakar reaffirmed the principles of a secular nation, emphasizing that individuals have the freedom to dress according to their beliefs. He made it clear that students opting for hijabs will undergo necessary checks before commencing their exams.
The precise extent of this decision remains somewhat uncertain. It is unclear whether the permission to wear hijabs will be extended to all examinations, including those conducted within schools and colleges, or if it will be limited solely to competitive exams.
The issue of hijab-wearing in educational institutions in Karnataka first gained significant attention in January 2022 when a government school in Udupi denied entry to a group of six students wearing hijabs. This incident triggered protests, with some Hindu students wearing saffron shawls in solidarity.
The matter escalated to the High Court, which upheld the Karnataka Government’s Order, prohibiting the presence of religious symbols in educational institutions. This decision led to widespread protests across the state.
The ban on hijabs was initially introduced during the tenure of the then-ruling BJP government in educational institutions where uniforms were mandatory. In response to the High Court’s decision, several groups have taken the matter to the Supreme Court, where it remains pending.
Karnataka’s Higher Education Minister’s recent decision is the latest development in the ongoing debate surrounding religious attire in educational settings. It highlights the intricate balance between individual freedoms, cultural identity, and the necessity for standardized regulations within educational institutions