Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah announces withdrawal of hijab ban order

Siddaramaiah (file image)

Karnataka Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah on December 22 revoked the controversial hijab ban imposed by the previous BJP-led government under Basavaraj Bommai. This marked a significant shift in the state's stance on religious attire, sparking discussions on religious freedom and diversity in Karnataka.

Taking to social networking platform X, Siddaramaiah expressed his disapproval of the BJP's slogan "sab ka saath-sab ka vikas," asserting that it is misleading. He accused the BJP of engaging in divisive actions, fostering divisions based on clothing, attire, and caste. And, he stated that he instructed the authorities to revoke the hijab ban.

Siddaramaiah's tweet in Kannada when translated to English reads, "BJP's claim of "sab ka saath-sab ka vikas" is false. They are engaging in divisive actions, creating divisions based on clothing, attire, and caste. I have instructed to revoke the hijab ban."

In 2022, the Karnataka BJP government banned hijabs in government schools. The Karnataka High Court upheld the ban, stating it's constitutionally permissible in colleges with prescribed uniforms, deeming it reasonable.

The previous BJP-led government in Karnataka had argued that the hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam and preventing its use did not violate Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom.

Article 25 gives freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion to the citizens of India.