A controversy arose in Karnataka when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah supported the right to wear religious symbols in educational settings, excluding saffron shawls, leading to criticism from the BJP. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge clarified that the government aimed to provide equal space for all constitutionally protected religious practices without altering any dress codes. He emphasized that the state supported the practice of turbans, kadas, tilaks, holy ash, kalawas, and head scarves as per constitutional provisions.
Kharge distinguished between hijabs and saffron shawls, stating that the latter was not a religious practice. He urged the BJP to focus on educating youth rather than engaging in divisive politics. Additionally, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Karnataka State Secretary Mohammed Yusuf Kanni praised the state government’s decision, highlighting India’s unity in diversity and the importance of removing hijab-related restrictions for educational and social benefits.
Congress spokesperson Nasir Hussain accused the BJP of promoting communal politics by objecting to the wearing of hijabs in educational institutions. He emphasized that wearing a hijab was a constitutional right and not a political matter. Congress MP Imran Masood supported the Karnataka government’s stance, linking the debate to Indian cultural traditions and emphasizing the significance of head coverings in Indian culture.
