Karnataka Allows Students to Wear Hijab for KEA Recruitment Exams: Education Minister – News18

Following a recent progress review meeting with CM Siddaramaiah, State Education Minister MC Sudhakar announced that a decision has been made that would allow students to wear a Hijab while appearing for the Karnataka Examination Authority-administered government service recruitment examinations. This decision coincides with the upcoming recruitment examinations for several government posts, which are set for October 28 and 29.

According to an India Today report, Education Minister MC Sudhakar noted that permitting the hijab is critical to upholding individual rights, and students wearing hijabs would be expected to appear at the exam centre at least one hour before the test to avoid any possibility of misconduct. Sudhakar pointed out that this approach is similar to that employed for the NEET entrance examinations.

In contrast, on February 5, 2022, the state of Karnataka passed an order prohibiting clothing that compromises equality, integrity, or the rule of law in educational institutions. This decision was made in response to an incident in December 2021 in which six girls were denied access to a college in Udupi merely because of the hijab they were donning. Protests erupted as a result in various regions throughout the state.

The former government of Basavaraj Bommai maintained its position against the wearing of Hijab in educational facilities, citing the Karnataka Education Act of 1983 as the foundation for their decision. The government claimed that, in accordance with its reading of Section 133 of the Act, it had the power to direct schools and colleges in the right manner so as to maintain public order.

Numerous lawyers for the petitioners argued during the Supreme Court proceedings on this issue that prohibiting Muslim girls from wearing the hijab to school would jeopardise their education since they would stop attending classes. A pre-university student’s privacy and dignity are also violated if her hijab is required to be removed at the school entrance, according to Supreme Court Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia.

After the Supreme Court’s split decision on the case in October 2022, a two-judge bench decided that the Chief Justice should be consulted for additional guidance in this matter. The Supreme Court is yet to establish a bench to look into the matter at this point in time.