Stick to college uniform, says Karnataka government as hijab issue escalates

Even as students protest over their right to be allowed to attend classes wearing the hijab, the state government on Friday made it clear that the existing uniform rule must continue in all educational institutions until the high court gives its verdict on the issue.

CM Basavaraj Bommai and primary and secondary education minister BV Nagesh held a meeting with the advocate general on Friday to discuss the state's stand to be presented before the HC which has been apprised of the matter.


"The matter is already before the high court and the government is awaiting the latter's verdict. Till such time all schools and colleges must follow the respective uniform code prescribed by their School Development and Monitoring Committees," Nagesh said.

He said all educational institutions have been given the freedom to have their own uniform code under the Karnataka Education Act. The only condition is the uniform code should be announced well before the start of the academic year and should not be changed for five years.


In Belagavi, a group of students from government PU college in Ramadurga town came to class with saffron shawls

On Friday, Government PU College in Byndoor, Udupi district, barred girls wearing hijab from entering the campus. This is the 5th college in the district — three in Kundapur, one in Udupi and one in Byndoor — to witness a row over hijab.

Expressing his anguish over the controversy, Nagesh said the uniform code is implemented in good faith with the intention to maintain harmony and brotherhood among students. "In this college (in Udupi district), the students were clearly informed about the uniform code in writing. The students had also agreed. They were complying till mid-January. I don't know who incited them, and suddenly they started protesting. I appeal to them to drop their protest and attend classes," he said.

Nagesh said Kerala and Bombay high courts have held that no student can be allowed to wear headscarves to school.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said the decision of a college in Kundapur to bar hijab-clad students from entering the campus was breach of an individual's fundamental right. "Wearing hijab is an old tradition. What problem is it causing to others? Moreover, the government has not stressed that uniform rule should be implemented at the PU level. The whole controversy is part of a conspiracy to deny education to Muslim women," he said.

Reacting to Siddaramaiah, Nagesh said a circular with regard to uniform code was issued to all schools and colleges during the former CM's rule. "Such being the fact, his stand on the issue borders on vote bank politics," he said.

Energy minister Sunil Kumar said, "We will not allow Udupi district to become another Taliban. Students must follow rules irrespective of their religious beliefs," he said.