Hijab Row: Karnataka Bans Clothes That Disturb Public Law & Order In Education Institutions

Bengaluru: With the hijab controversy refusing to die down and taking a political colour, the Karnataka government on Saturday ordered a ban on clothes which “disturb equality, integrity and public order” in schools and colleges.

The state government invoked 133 (2) of Karnataka Education Act 1983, which states that a uniform style of clothes has to be worn compulsorily, The Indian Express reported.

“The private school administration can choose a uniform of their choice,” stated the government order.

It specified that students will have to wear the dress chosen by College Development Committee or appellate committee of the administrative board of pre-university colleges, which come under the Pre-University Education department.

“In the event of administrative committee not selecting a uniform, clothes which disturb equality, integrity and public law and order should not be worn,” the order added.

A Karnataka minister said two days ago that students should not wear either hijabs or saffron shawls to schools.

The issue surfaced when Muslim girls in a government pre-university college in Udupi insisted on their right to wear hijab to class. It spread to other colleges in the state, with authorities asking students to take off headscarf.

Earlier this week, some boys turned up at a government pre-university college wearing saffron shawls.

While Congress leaders have backed girl students wearing headscarf in classrooms, BJP said it will not allow ‘Talibanisation’ of educational institutions.