Karnataka Govt To Scrap Hijab Ban, CM Siddaramaiah Allows Freedom Of Attire

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that the restrictions on wearing hijab (head scarf) in educational institutions in the state will be lifted from December 23, saying choice of dress and food is personal and no one should interfere in it.

In a post on the microblogging platform X, he emphasized that one's choice of attire is a personal right. Siddaramaiah also accused the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) of fostering division among people based on clothing, attire, and caste.

Affirming that the Congress party does not indulge in politics for votes, the chief minister said, "Congress government came to power to protect the rights of the poor, backward classes, Dalits and minorities. There is no question of compromising on this."

Referring to the five guarantees of the government in Karnataka, he said the benefits are available to people irrespective of their caste, religion and even "political ideology".

"Even BJP supporters are availing the benefits and travelling in the bus free of cost. We never discriminate," he added.

Initially implemented by the BJP-led government under Basavaraj Bommai in 2022, the ban affected educational institutions, sparking a prolonged controversy.

Also, the Karnataka High Court upheld the BJP government's directive following petitions challenging the order. The court ruled that wearing a hijab isn't a fundamental religious practice in Islam and endorsed the enforcement of uniform dress codes across educational institutions in the state.