Karnataka Government Revokes 2022 Hijab Ban in Schools – Allows Limited Religious Symbols

On 13 May 2026 the Karnataka Government issued a new circular withdrawing the February 2022 order that prohibited the Hijab and other faith‑based symbols in aided and private schools and pre‑university colleges. The order aligns the state’s education policy with constitutional secularism while permitting limited traditional symbols that do not disturb discipline, safety or student identification. Key Developments The circular permits symbols such as Hijab, turban (Pete), sacred thread ( Janivara ), Shivadara, Rudraksha, alongside the prescribed uniform. The order cites constitutional secularism and the need to respect Article 25 while maintaining institutional order. The Karnataka High Court previously held that wearing the Hijab is not an essential religious practice, and a split Supreme Court decision on the challenge remains pending. A recent public‑interest litigation seeks a declaration that the Karnataka Examination Authority’s refusal to allow students wearing the sacred thread in the CET 2025 is unconstitutional. Important Facts The original order dated 5 February 2022 mandated strict uniform compliance across all government, aided and private schools, sparking nationwide protests and extensive litigation. The new circular references the Karnataka Education Act, 1983 and Rule 11 of the 1995 Rules , allowing limited religious symbols that do not affect discipline or safety. UPSC Relevance Understanding the interplay between secularism and individual religious rights is essential for GS2 (Polity) and GS4 (Ethics) questions. The case illustrates the role of state governments, high courts, and the Supreme Court in interpreting constitutional provisions, a frequent theme in UPSC jurisprudence. Policy‑level decisions affecting education, uniform codes, and minority rights are relevant for questions on education reforms and minority welfare. Way Forward Implementation must be uniform across Karnataka, with schools prohibited from humiliating or forcing removal of permitted symbols. Exceptions may apply during examinations where specific dress‑code rules are justified. Monitoring by the Department of School Education and Literacy, together with vigilance from civil society, will determine whether the balance between discipline and religious freedom is sustainably maintained.