Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s IT Cell In-charge and West Bengal Co-Incharge, Amit Malviya, criticized the Congress government in Karnataka for retracting the February 5, 2022, order on school uniforms. Malviya accused the government of allowing the use of hijab in schools under the pretext of permitting “limited traditional and faith-based religious symbols.” He claimed that the government’s new circular permitted religious symbols and headscarves in educational institutions.
Malviya expressed concern that this move could lead to the institutionalization of religious identity in classrooms. He emphasized the importance of schools and colleges as spaces where students can develop freely, without being influenced by divisive political agendas. Malviya accused the Congress-led state government of prioritizing electoral gains over the welfare of Muslim girls.
Questioning the government’s motives, Malviya highlighted a recent incident involving the alleged cutting of a sacred thread (‘Janeu’) in a school. He criticized the government for what he perceived as appeasement rather than promoting neutrality and discipline in educational settings. Malviya reiterated his stance against the presence of religious symbols in classrooms, emphasizing that educational environments should focus on learning rather than religious displays.
The Karnataka government recently revoked its previous order on school and college uniforms, allowing students to wear “limited traditional and faith-based symbols” in addition to the prescribed uniforms.
