Karnataka’s new state government withdraws the 2022 order that had restricted students from wearing religious symbols in educational institutions, a policy that had drawn widespread political controversy over the hijab. Multiple outlets report that the revised guidelines formally revoke the earlier directive requiring strict uniform adherence without religious articles. Under the new approach, students are allowed to wear certain faith-based items alongside prescribed school uniforms. Reported permissions include hijabs, turbans, and the sacred thread (janivara), along with other religious symbols covered under the updated rules. The stated intent is to maintain school discipline while aligning school dress policies with constitutional principles such as equality and inclusion, ensuring students are not barred from attending for wearing the permitted symbols.
The change is described as coming into effect for the next academic year, for classes 1 to 12. One outlet also notes that the BJP criticizes the decision, characterizing it as political “appeasement.”
