Will take decision after...: Karnataka minister on lifting hijab ban amid row

Amidst an ongoing discussion surrounding the hijab ban in Karnataka, the state's Home Minister G Parameshwara has stated that a decision to lift restrictions will be made by the government after a thorough examination of the issue.

"We haven't issued any orders regarding the hijab. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself mentioned that even if it happens, we will scrutinize it. The government will decide after thorough consideration," G Parameshwara informed the news agency ANI.

A political controversy arose in Karnataka after Siddaramaiah announced during a public meeting on December 22 that his government would rescind the order prohibiting the hijab in schools and colleges in the state.

"The choice of clothing is a personal prerogative. I have instructed to revoke the hijab ban. PM Modi's 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas' is misleading. The BJP is dividing people and society based on clothing, dress, and caste," declared the Chief Minister during the public meeting.

Siddaramaiah's comments drew a strong reaction from the Karnataka BJP. BJP leader and former CM Basavaraj Bommai accused Siddaramaiah of concealing his government's failures and raising the issue solely for political gain.

He asserted to reporters that the hijab was not banned across the entire state but was restricted where a dress code was in place. Bommai emphasized that Muslim women were allowed to wear the hijab everywhere.

"When the hijab is not banned, where is the question of lifting the ban?" questioned Bommai, as quoted by news agency ANI.

In February 2022, a government college in Udupi district banned the hijab inside classrooms, and subsequent institutions followed suit. The then Basavaraj Bommai government later issued an order to ban the hijab inside campuses, citing concerns about clothing that could disrupt equality, integrity, and public law and order.

The order sparked numerous protests and counter-protests, leading to the closure of institutions in the state. The matter reached the Supreme Court, which delivered a split verdict on October 13 of the previous year. The division bench then requested the Chief Justice to refer the matter to a larger bench, which is currently pending before the apex court.

हिजाब पर विवाद में, कर्नाटक मंत्री ने 'निर्णय लेंगे' बाधिती हटाने का फैसला।