NewKerala.com

Karnataka Govt Allows Hijab, Sacred Thread, Rudraksha in Schools: CM

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that students are now free to wear traditional religious symbols like hijab, sacred thread, rudraksha, and Shiva beads in educational institutions. The state government withdrew the February 2022 order that banned religious attire in classrooms. The new guidelines apply to all students up to Class 12 and include turbans and headscarves as permissible items. The decision follows an incident where a student's sacred thread was allegedly cut at a school in April.

Key Points: Karnataka Allows Hijab, Sacred Thread, Rudraksha in Schools

  • Karnataka government withdraws 2022 hijab ban order
  • New guidelines allow traditional religious symbols like sacred thread, rudraksha, hijab
  • Decision applies to students up to Class 12 in all institutions
  • Move follows April incident where student's sacred thread was cut
3 min read

Students free to wear traditional religious symbols in educational institutions: Karnataka CM

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah clarifies state’s new guidelines allowing students to wear traditional religious symbols like hijab, sacred thread, and rudraksha in educational institutions.

"Look... it is not just the Hijab. Those who wear the sacred thread (Janivara), the shivadara, or the rudraksha... All of them can wear them as well. - CM Siddaramaiah"

Bengaluru, May 14

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday clarified the state government's decision to withdraw the February 5, 2022, order banning religious attire in educational institutions, stating that the revised guidelines permit not only the Hijab but also other traditionally worn religious symbols such as the sacred thread, Rudraksha and Shiva beads.

Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said students would be allowed to wear "limited traditional and faith-based symbols" along with prescribed uniforms in educational institutions up to Class 12.

"Look... it is not just the Hijab. Those who wear the sacred thread (Janivara), the shivadara, or the rudraksha... All of them can wear them as well. They can wear them according to their respective beliefs," CM Siddaramaiah said.

The Chief Minister clarified that the decision applies across educational levels, including primary schools, high schools and pre-university colleges.

"This applies up to the 12th standard. Whether it is high school, college, or primary school, it applies to all of them. You cannot come wearing shawls. You can wear a turban, the sacred thread, the shivadara, the rudraksha... and you can wear the Hijab. Only those things that have been traditionally in practice and part of existing beliefs until now are allowed, "he added.

On May 13, the Karnataka government officially withdrew the February 5, 2022, order issued by the previous BJP government, which had prohibited students from wearing Hijabs inside classrooms in schools and colleges.

The Congress-led state government simultaneously issued fresh guidelines allowing students to wear "limited traditional and custom-based symbols" along with the prescribed school uniform.

The move, implemented with immediate effect, comes after an April 24 incident in which a student's sacred thread was allegedly cut at a school.

The then BJP government in Karnataka had, in February 2022, issued an order prohibiting the wearing of hijabs in classrooms.

An order issued by the Congress government in Karnataka said that students "are permitted to wear limited traditional and custom-based symbols with the prescribed uniform. However, such traditional and custom-based symbols must be complementary to the uniform and must not alter, modify, or defeat the original purpose of the prescribed uniform," it said.

The order said that such permissible traditional and custom-based symbols "may include turbans, sacred threads, Shiva beads, Rudraksha, headscarves or any other similar traditional and custom-based symbols commonly worn by students".

However, these should not interfere with discipline, safety and student identification.

"No student shall be denied entry to an educational institution, classroom, examination room or academic activity on the grounds of wearing such limited traditional and custom-based symbols along with the prescribed uniform," the order said.

It said that no student shall be compelled to wear such traditional and customary symbols. Similarly, no student shall be compelled to remove the limited traditional and customary symbols permitted by the Government.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
But will this create more confusion? In my daughter's school they already have issues with students wearing oversized shawls over uniform. The line between "traditional symbols" and "fashion statements" is blurry. Need clear implementation guidelines.
K
Kavya N
Sad that basic religious freedom became a political football. The previous BJP government's ban was unnecessary. Glad Congress reversed it. But I worry this will be challenged in courts again. Let kids study in peace.
R
Raghav A
Very balanced decision! As someone who wears the sacred thread daily, I never had issues in school. But the 2022 hijab ban was excessive. This new order treats all faiths equally - that's true secularism. Well done Karnataka government. 👏
J
James A
Interesting perspective from overseas. In the US we had similar debates about religious symbols in schools. The Karnataka approach seems pragmatic - allowing traditional symbols that don't disrupt uniform. Education should be about learning, not what kids wear on their heads.
S
Sneha F
As a teacher, I welcome this. Earlier we had to waste time checking if a headscarf was "too big" or if a sacred thread was visible. Now there's clarity. Let students focus on studies and let them express their faith respectfully. Win-win situation.
N

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50