The Government of Karnataka on Wednesday withdrew with immediate effect its controversial February 2022 order that had effectively banned the wearing of hijab and other religious symbols in schools and pre-university colleges across the State.

In a fresh circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, the State government permitted students in aided and private educational institutions to wear limited traditional and faith-based symbols such as hijab, turban (Pete), sacred thread (Janivara), Shivadara, Rudraksha and similar items along with the prescribed uniform.

The earlier Government Order dated February 5, 2022 had mandated strict adherence to prescribed uniforms in government, aided and private schools and PU colleges, resulting in a prohibition on hijabs and other visible religious symbols inside classrooms. The order had triggered widespread protests across the country and led to prolonged litigation before the courts.

In March 2022, the Karnataka High Court upheld the government order, holding that wearing the hijab was not an essential religious practice protected under Article 25 of the Constitution. Subsequently, a split verdict was delivered by a two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India on appeals challenging the Karnataka government’s order, leading to the matter being referred to a larger Bench. The reference remains pending.

The latest order comes shortly after the High Court issued notice to the State government in a public interest litigation challenging the action of Karnataka Examination Authority officials for allegedly preventing students wearing sacred threads from appearing in the Common Entrance Test (CET) 2025.

Referring to provisions of the Karnataka Education Act, 1983 and the Karnataka Education Institutions Rules, 1995, the government stated that students may wear limited traditional and practice-based religious symbols so long as they do not interfere with discipline, safety or identification of students.

The preamble to the order emphasises constitutional secularism as a principle of equal respect for all religions rather than opposition to personal beliefs. The government observed that institutional discipline and orderliness can be maintained without imposing a blanket prohibition on symbols commonly worn by students as part of tradition and faith.

The order further clarifies that no student wearing permitted symbols shall be denied admission, examinations, participation in competitions or other academic activities. It also states that students cannot be compelled to remove such symbols and that no institution or authority may forcibly remove them.

However, a limited exception has been carved out for examinations where dress code requirements prescribed for national or State-level exams may continue to apply. The government directed that implementation of the policy must remain uniform and free from communal or religious discrimination.

Additionally, School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs), College Development Committees (CDCs) and institutional heads have been instructed not to humiliate or insult students for wearing permitted religious symbols.

The order also invoked the teachings of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, quoting his phrase “Iva Nammave” (“They are ours”), while urging educational institutions to uphold inclusivity and respect going forward.