Bangalore: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said that the High Court order banning hijab, saffron shawl and other religious symbols in degree colleges in Karnataka does not apply to all colleges. “All colleges are not required to comply with the High Court order. The CM added that the February 10 order would apply to pre-university colleges which are in uniform.
The Chief Minister’s explanation came after the Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah raised the issue of not allowing hijab-wearing children in the classroom. Higher Education Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that restrictions on religious symbols do not apply to higher education institutions. Siddaramaiah was seeking an explanation for CN Ashwat Narayanan’s statement.
The restriction on hijabs only in colleges where headscarves are not allowed as part of the dress code is considered a general order by the High Court in most parts of Karnataka. The Leader of the Opposition raised this issue in the House.
When classes started after a break following the hijab controversy, many degree colleges did not allow students to enter wearing the hijab. This too led to huge protests.