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{{Short description|Dispute over wearing of hijab as part of school uniforms in Karnataka}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=
{{Infobox civil conflict
|title = 2022 Karnataka hijab row
|partof =
|image =
|caption =
|date = Beginning of February 2022 - 15 March 2022
|place = Karnataka, India
|coordinates =
|casualties1 =
|casualties2 =
|casualties3 =
|side1 = Muslim students
|side2 = Educational institutions, Government of Karnataka
|side3 =
|leadfigures1 =
|leadfigures2 =
|leadfigures3 =
|howmany1 =
|howmany2 =
|howmany3 =
|injuries =
|fatalities =
|arrests = 2
|charges =
|result = Karnataka High Court upholds ban on hijab in educational institutions
}}
At the beginning of
Petitions were filed in the [[Karnataka High Court]] on behalf of the aggrieved students. On 10 February, the High Court issued an interim order restraining all students from wearing any form of religious attire. The order was implemented in all schools and colleges across Karnataka, with students, and in some cases teachers, being asked to remove hijabs and [[burqa]]s outside the school gates. After a hearing of about 23 hours spread over 11 days,<ref name="Hindu Karnataka HC reserves">{{Cite news |date=25 February 2022 |title=Hijab row: Karnataka HC reserves verdict on petitions after 23 hours of hearing |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hijab-row-karnataka-hc-reserves-verdict-on-petitions-after-23-hours-of-hearing/article65084779.ece}}</ref> the court delivered its verdict on 15 March 2022, upholding the restrictions on hijab.<ref name="Siasat Karnataka HC">{{Cite news |date=15 March 2022 |title=LIVE updates: Karnataka HC upholds Hijab ban |url=https://www.siasat.com/live-updates-karnataka-hc-to-pronounce-verdict-on-hijab-row-2290825/ |newspaper=The Siasat Daily }}</ref> The court ruled that the hijab is not an essential religious practice in Islam.{{r|handbook}} [[Security categories in India|Y-category security]] has been provided to the Karnataka High Court judges who delivered the hijab verdict, and two people were arrested for making threatening speeches.<ref name="Indian Express 2022">{{cite web | title=Y-security to Karnataka HC judges who delivered hijab verdict; 2 held for threat speeches | website=The Indian Express | date=21 March 2022 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/y-category-security-karnataka-hc-judges-hijab-ban-cm-bommai-7820326/ | access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref> After control of the state legislative assembly changed from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) to the [[Indian National Congress]] in [[2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|the 2023 election]], the new state government rescinded the order in December 2023.<ref name="IndX231222">{{cite news |title=Karnataka to withdraw hijab ban order, announces CM Siddaramaiah |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-to-withdraw-hijab-ban-order-announces-cm-siddaramaiah-9079434/ |access-date=22 December 2023 |work=[[Indian Express]] |date=22 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
▲At the beginning of January 2022, a dispute pertaining to [[school uniform]]s was reported in the [[Indian state]] of [[Karnataka]], when some [[Indian Muslims|Muslim]] students of a [[junior college#India|junior college]] who wanted to wear [[hijab]] to classes were denied entry on the grounds that it was a violation of the college's uniform policy.<ref name="TOI timeline">{{Cite news |last=TNN |date=9 February 2022 |title=Hijab Row: How Karnataka hijab row unfolded, spread |work=Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/how-karnataka-hijab-row-unfolded-spread/articleshow/89443877.cms }}</ref><ref name="Telegraph Udupi" /> Over the following weeks, the dispute spread to other schools and colleges across the state, with groups of [[Hindus|Hindu]] students staging counter-protests by demanding to wear [[Saffron (color)|saffron]] scarves. On 5 February, the Karnataka government issued an order stating that uniforms must be worn compulsorily where policies exist and no exception can be made for the wearing of the hijab. Several educational institutions cited this order and denied entry to Muslim girls wearing the hijab.<ref name="Chowdhuri reuters">{{Cite news |last=Chowdhuri |first=Rupak De |date=9 February 2022 |title=Indian students block roads as row over hijab in schools mounts |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-students-block-roads-row-over-hijab-schools-mounts-2022-02-09 }}</ref><ref name="ABP government order">{{Cite news |last=ABP News Bureau |date=5 February 2022 |title=Karnataka Govt Issues Fresh Order Amid Hijab Row, Says Uniform That Affects Harmony Must Be Banned |work=ABP Live |url=https://news.abplive.com/karnataka/karnataka-govt-issues-fresh-order-amid-hijab-row-says-uniform-that-affects-harmony-must-be-banned-1511101 }}</ref>
The implementation of dress codes by educational institutes, banning the hijab, was criticised inside India and abroad by officials in countries including the [[United States]] and [[Pakistan]], by [[Human Rights Watch]], and by figures like [[Malala Yousafzai]]. <ref>{{cite news |last1=Ganguly |first1=Meenakshi |title=India's Hijab Debate Fueled by Divisive Communal Politics |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/02/15/indias-hijab-debate-fueled-divisive-communal-politics |access-date=2022-08-25 |work=Human Rights Watch |date=2022-02-15}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news |last1=Correspondent |first1=Special |title=Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai comments on hijab controversy in Karnataka |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/nobel-laureate-malala-yousafzai-comments-on-hijab-controversy-in-karnataka/article38400512.ece |access-date=2022-08-25 |work=The Hindu |date=2022-02-09}}</ref> The ban was defended by politicians such as [[Arif Mohammad Khan]], [[Aaditya Thackeray]], [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] and activist [[Taslima Nasreen]].<ref name="Hindustan Times 2022">{{cite web | title=Taslima Nasreen says burqa like chastity belt of dark ages, uniform civil code a must | website=Hindustan Times | date=
▲The implementation of dress codes by educational institutes, banning the hijab, was criticised inside India and abroad by officials in countries including [[United States]] and [[Pakistan]], by [[Human Rights Watch]], and by figures like [[Malala Yousafzai]]. The ban was defended by politicians such as [[Arif Mohammad Khan]], [[Aaditya Thackeray]], [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] and [[Taslima Nasreen]].<ref name="Hindustan Times 2022">{{cite web | title=Taslima Nasreen says burqa like chastity belt of dark ages, uniform civil code a must | website=Hindustan Times | date=2022-02-12 | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/taslima-nasreen-burqa-like-chastity-belt-of-dark-ages-uniform-civil-code-must-101644662510295.html | access-date=2022-03-27}}</ref>
==Background==
The education system of Karnataka involves 10 years of school and two years of pre-university college ("PU college"). Using powers conferred under the 'Karnataka Education Act, 1983', Sec. 145(1), the Government of Karnataka empowered recognised educational institutions to decide on uniforms for their students.<ref>{{Citation |title=Rules under the Karnataka Education Act |pages=6–10 |chapter=The Karnataka Educational Institutions (..) Rules, 1995 |chapter-url=https://dpal.karnataka.gov.in/storage/pdf-files/Kanunu%20padakosha%20PDF%20Files/Edu.rules.pdf |publisher=Government of Karnataka |quote=Now, therefore in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 145 of the Karnataka Education Act, 1983 (Karnataka Act 1 of 1995), the Government of Karnataka hereby makes the following rules, namely:- ... 11. Provision of Uniform, Clothing, Text Books etc., (1) Every recognised educational institution may specify its own set of Uniform. Such uniform once specified shall not be changed within the period of next five years. |access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="Hindu decision soon">{{Cite news |date=4 February 2022 |title=Decision on dress code in govt. PU colleges soon: CM |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/decision-on-dress-code-in-govt-pu-colleges-soon-cm/article38378963.ece }}</ref> For school students, uniforms are mandated by the state government and schools can choose the colours.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 August 2020 |title=Karnataka: Govt schools can choose own uniform |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/karnataka-govt-schools-can-choose-own-uniform/articleshow/77311598.cms }}</ref> For PU colleges, uniforms were not mandated by the government, but, over time, most college development committees (CDCs){{efn|According to the government's submission to the Karnataka High Court in February 2022, the College Development Committees (CDCs) were constituted in 2014 via an education department circular, with the government approval.<ref name="Live Law 18 Feb">{{Cite news |last=Plumber |first=Mustafa |date=18 February 2022 |title=Hijab Not Essential Practice Of Islam, Karnataka AG Says; What Was Necessity Of Saying This In GO, Asks High Court? |work=Live Law |url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/hijab-not-essential-islam-practice-karnataka-go-high-court-advocate-general-192273 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 February 2022 |title=Day 7 Hearing: Hijab Ban (Karnataka HC) (Part II) |work=Supreme Court Observer |url=https://www.scobserver.in/reports/day-7-hearing-hijab-ban-karnataka-hcpart-i-2/ |quote=The Advocate General ... then proceeded to state that ... Rule 11 of the Act allowed institutions to prescribe uniforms. Since Government PU Colleges were not chaired by a managing committee, there was a need for a body to prescribe uniforms. In that context, sec. 133(2) of the Act permitted the State government to give directions that were necessary or expedient to further the purposes of the Act. Bringing this Rule into operation, CDCs were established in 2014 by a circular of the Undersecretary of the Department of Education. }}</ref> The government at that time was held by [[Indian National Congress]] led by chief minister [[
Muslims constitute 13 per cent of the population of the state of Karnataka.<ref name="WP protests spread" /> Muslim women in the state are accessing public education in ever-increasing numbers. Data shows that the Gross Attendance Ratio of Muslim women in higher education rose from about 1 per cent in 2007–08 to a high of about 16 per cent in 2017–18.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roy Barman |first=Sourav |date=13 February 2022 |title=Steady uptick in Muslim girls going to schools, colleges |work=Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/steady-uptick-in-muslim-girls-going-to-schools-colleges-7769897 }}</ref> Many Muslim women consider [[hijab]] to be a part of the [[Islamic faith]].<ref name="csm">{{Cite news |date=8 February 2022 |title=Religious identity, rights in focus as Indian schools ban hijab |work=Christian Science Monitor |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2022/0208/Religious-identity-rights-in-focus-as-Indian-schools-ban-hijab }}</ref> In India, the public display of religious symbols is common,<ref name="BBC larger bench">{{Cite news |date=10 February 2022 |title=Karnataka hijab row: Judge refers issue to larger bench |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60312864 }}</ref> including the wearing of hijab and [[burqa]].<ref name="thestar1">{{Cite news |last=Sheikh Saaliq |date=8 February 2022 |title=In India, wearing hijab bars some Muslim students from class |work=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/asia/2022/02/08/in-india-wearing-hijab-bars-some-muslim-students-from-class.html }}</ref><ref name="BBC larger bench" /><ref name=csm/> [[PEW]] reports that in Karnataka 71% of Muslim women and 42% of Hindu women cover their heads outside the home (in India, 89% of Muslim women and 59% of Hindu women cover their heads outside the home).<ref>{{Cite web |
According to the [[BBC]], the coastal belt of Karnataka has seen protests over hijab in the past but such issues were often quickly resolved.<ref name="BBC polarising">{{Cite news |last=Arya |first=Divya |date=16 February 2022 |title=Karnataka hijab controversy is polarising its classrooms |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-60384681 }}</ref> Not all cases were easy, however. A second-year PU student at [[Moodabidri]] was disallowed from attending classes for an entire year in 2011–12 due to her insistence on wearing a hijab.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 August 2011 |title=Girl submits complaint to DC on hijab row |work=The Times of India |id={{ProQuest|883328954}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 March 2012 |title=Hadiya Iqbal finally allowed to appear for PU examination |work=Coastal Digest |url=https://www.coastaldigest.com/news/37534-hadiya-iqbal-finally-allowed-to-appear-for-pu-examination?page=1 }}</ref> There have also been instances of Hindu students protesting with [[Saffron (color)|saffron scarves]]{{efn|[[Saffron (colour)|Saffron]] is a holy colour in Hinduism, but there is no religious requirement to wear it in scarves. More significantly, the saffron colour is promoted by the [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalist]] organisations such as the [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] as an emblem of their ideology.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hansen |first=Thomas Blom |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SAqn3OIGE54C&pg=PA108 |title=The Saffron Wave: Democracy and Hindu Nationalism in Modern India |date=1999 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=1-4008-2305-6 |page=108 |quote=Today, the saffron flag and the saffron color—though used widely in religious rituals and processions—has in the political field been appropriated by the Hindu nationalist movement. During riots, the saffron flag is often employed to mark Hindu areas, and it is planted upon Muslim dargahs (tombs) and masjids (mosques) to mark Hindu superiority. }}</ref>}} to oppose Muslim students being allowed with hijab or burqa in classes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 September 2016 |title=Students wear saffron shawls to oppose hijab
The coastal districts of [[Dakshina Kannada]] and [[Udupi district|Udupi]] have seen sectarian polarisation over the decades with the rise of [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalism]], represented by organisations like [[Bajrang Dal]], [[Hindu Jagarana Vedike]], [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] (VHP) and [[Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] (ABVP), and a parallel mobilisation of the Muslim community by the [[Popular Front of India]] (PFI) and its affiliates [[Campus Front of India]] (CFI) and the [[Social Democratic Party of India]].{{sfn|Sayeed|2022|loc=Sec. The Udupi incident}} The PFI, CFI and seven other associated outfits were banned by the Government of India for unlawful activities in September 2022.<ref name="Singh 2022">{{cite web | last=Singh | first=Jitendra Bahadur | title=Radical outfit PFI, 8 associated fronts banned for 5 years after nationwide mega raids, arrests | website=India Today | date=28 September 2022 | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/government-bans-popular-front-of-india-links-terror-funding-2005597-2022-09-28 | access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref>
== Events ==
=== Udupi dispute ===
In early January 2022, a dispute over the wearing of the hijab was reported at a government-run Pre-University College for Girls at [[Udupi]] that had disallowed the wearing of hijab as being in violation of its uniform policy.<ref name="Telegraph Udupi" /> Six Muslim female students insisted on wearing hijab to classes on top of their college uniform,<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 February 2022 |title=Karnataka hijab row: Judge refers issue to larger bench |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60312864 |quote=The issue began gaining attention when the students at the pre-university college - equivalent to a high school - in Karnataka's Udupi district began protesting over the hijab ban. }}</ref> arguing that hijab was part of their faith,<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 January 2022 |title=Muslim girls wearing hijab barred from classes at Indian college |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al-Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/18/india-karnataka-muslim-college-students-hijab-ban-udupi }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Prajwal Bhat |date=19 January 2022 |title=It's our right to wear hijab, don't bar us from class: Udupi students speak up |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/its-our-right-wear-hijab-dont-bar-us-class-udupi-students-speak-160020 }}</ref> and their constitutional right.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 January 2022 |title=
The case was brought to the attention of the media by Ansar Ahmed, the district president of ''Karnataka Rakshana Vedike'', a voluntary organisation.<ref name="Telegraph Udupi">{{Cite news |last=K. M. Rakesh |date=2 January 2022 |title=Hijab-clad students denied entry to classroom in Udupi PU college |work=The Telegraph (India) |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/hijab-clad-students-denied-entry-to-classroom-in-udupi-pu-college/cid/1845798 }}</ref> [[Campus Front of India]] (CFI), the student wing of the radical Islamic organisation [[Popular Front of India]] (PFI),<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 August 2012 |title=HuJi, Popular Front of India under lens for hate messages |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/HuJi-Popular-Front-of-India-under-lens-for-hate-messages/articleshow/15594008.cms }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 February 2011 |title=In a pluralistic part of India, fears of rising Islamic extremism |
What caused the students' change of mind on the hijab issue is uncertain. They admit to having attended the first year of class as per the college's no-hijab policy. They went to campus in burqas and removed them in a "ladies' room" before going to classes.<ref name="BBC fighting" /><ref name="IE anti-rape" /> One of the students also said that the parents were told about this when they joined the college in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vishnu |first=Uma |date=11 February 2022 |title=Before hijab standoff, an anti-rape protest, faith, political rivalry |work=Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-before-hijab-standoff-an-anti-rape-protest-faith-political-rivalry-7766869/ |quote=Speaking to The Indian Express, Hazra Shifa, 18, one of the six girls who are now insisting on wearing the hijab to their classrooms, said that when they joined the Udupi PU College (..) in 2020, it told their parents about the no-hijab policy. }}</ref> Others were doubtful.<ref name="BBC fighting">{{Cite news |last=Qureshi |first=Imran |date=22 January 2022 |title=Udupi hijab issue: The Indian girls fighting to wear hijab in college |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60079770 |quote=Ms Almas said when they tried to wear the hijab in their first year at the college, they were told that their parents had signed a form that prevented them from doing so. }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wahab |first=Ghazala |date=9 February 2022 |title=Why the hijab row is not an identity issue |work=Mint Lounge |url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com//news/talking-point/why-the-hijab-row-is-not-an-identity-issue-111644385790622.html |quote=In an interview to The Quint, one of the girls said that they didn't wear the hijab in their first year because they believed their parents had given an undertaking to the college. }}</ref> When the classes moved online due to Covid, the issue died down.<ref name="Telegraph Udupi" /> With the on-campus classes resuming in September 2021, some of the students asked for permission to wear the hijab, which was denied on the grounds that everyone must wear a "common uniform".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shekhar |first=Laasya |date=21 January 2022 |title='Requests fell on deaf ears': Hijab stand-off continues despite classroom ban at Karnataka college |work=Newslaundry |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/01/21/requests-fell-on-deaf-ears-hijab-stand-off-continues-despite-classroom-ban-at-karnataka-college }}</ref> In October 2021, two of them took part in an anti-rape protest and a photograph of the event was circulated. This brought their situation into focus to their parents as well as the CFI.{{sfn|Sood|2022}}{{efn|The anti-rape protest was organised by the ABVP, photographs of which were circulated on social media. Some parents and CFI members took offence at the students' participation in an ABVP lead protest. The lack of headscarves in the images circulated brought the situation into focus for their parents as well as the CFI.{{sfn|Sood|2022}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dwarakanath |first=Nagarjun |date=11 February 2022 |title=Muslim girl went for ABVP rally. Read the backstory of Karnataka hijab protest |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/karnataka-hijab-protest-muslim-students-anti-rape-agitation-udupi-abvp-1911853-2022-02-11 }}</ref><ref name="IE anti-rape">{{Cite news |last=Vishnu |first=Uma |date=11 February 2022 |title=Before hijab standoff, an anti-rape protest, faith, political rivalry |work=Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/karnataka-before-hijab-standoff-an-anti-rape-protest-faith-political-rivalry-7766869/ }}</ref>}} An investigation by the Udupi Police reported that CFI had approached the parents and offered help to challenge the college management.<ref>{{harvnb|Sood|2022|loc=Sec. Introduction. "According to an intel report submitted by the Udupi police to the state government, the Campus Front of India (CFI), which is the students’ wing of the Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), had approached parents with the offer to help take on the college management."}}</ref> According to one of the students, the agreement "mentioned a compulsory uniform and said nothing about a hijab".<ref name="BBC fighting" /> So, the six students and their parents decided to insist upon hijab.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shekhar |first=Laasya |date=21 January 2022 |title='Requests fell on deaf ears': Hijab stand-off continues despite classroom ban at Karnataka college |work=Newslaundry |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/01/21/requests-fell-on-deaf-ears-hijab-stand-off-continues-despite-classroom-ban-at-karnataka-college |quote="Our lecturers said that it (hijab) defies college policy. But when we checked the policy a month ago, we were shocked to see no such mention in the signed agreement. So, we decided to wear hijab from December 28 after repeated appeals to the management turned futile," said Muskan, who has only taken two days of leave in the academic year. }}</ref>{{efn|According to ''The Hindu'', 12 students initially demanded to be allowed to wear hijab, but six of them later agreed to the college policy, while six students continued to protest.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 February 2022 |title=Hijab controversy: Six students of Udupi government PU college skip class |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/hijab-controversy-six-students-of-udupi-government-pu-college-skip-class/article65055285.ece }}</ref>}}
According to the federated Muslim organisation ''Muslim Okkoota''{{efn|''Muslim Okkoota'', also spelt ''Muslim Okkutta'', is a federation of six Muslim
The students' hijab protest seemed to be a ploy for the political wing (SDPI) to strengthen its support base.{{sfn|Sood|2022|loc=Sec. Why the PFI and its affiliates are so controversial}} Some of the protesting parents and relatives are active members of SDPI and other PFI affiliates.<ref name="HT hijab discrimination" />{{sf|Sood|2022|loc=Sec. Bruised egos and social media hype}} The SDPI had just won six seats in the local body elections, which was termed a major triumph.{{sfn|Sood|2022|loc=Sec. Why the PFI and its affiliates are so controversial. "In 2010, the political wing of the PFI – the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) – was registered with the Election Commission. Since then, it has slowly been making inroads in the coastal Karnataka belt. It had one of its biggest triumphs in the December 2021 elections to 58 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Karnataka, when it won six seats."}} ''Muslim Okkoota'' claims to have tried to resolve the dispute locally by talking to the college authorities, the parents and the CFI, but the CFI chose to publicise the issue by circulating photographs of students stranded outside classes, provoking the college and the BJP leaders to harden their stand.<ref name="IE anti-rape" /> By the end of December, "nobody was in the mood for a compromise".{{sfn|Sood|2022|loc=Sec. Bruised egos and social media hype}}
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The saffron protests gained momentum in February, being seen at the Governrment PU college in [[Kundapura]] (2 February),<ref name="thequint.com">{{Cite news |date=3 February 2022 |title=Day After 'Saffron Shawl' Protests, Udupi College Denies Entry to Girls in Hijab |work=The Quint |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/day-after-saffron-shawl-protests-udupi-college-denies-entry-to-girl-students-in-hijab-karnataka }}</ref>
=== Government reaction ===
Line 48 ⟶ 71:
On 27 January, the government announced the setting up of an expert committee to study the issue. Until its decision was made, the government urged the students to maintain the "status quo".<ref name="HT committee">{{Cite news |date=27 January 2022 |title=Hijab row: Karnataka govt sets up expert committee |work=The Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hijab-row-karnataka-govt-sets-up-expert-committee-101643224367207.html |id={{ProQuest|2622813362}} }}</ref> For the Udupi PU College students, the "status quo" apparently meant that they should "adhere to the uniform rule". The government issued an order to this effect.<ref name="HT committee" /> The CDC chairman Raghupati Bhat called a meeting with parents and told them that the students should remove the hijab in the classroom.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 February 2022 |title=Students told to adhere to college dress code in class in Udupi |work=The Hindu |id={{ProQuest|2624054931}}}}</ref>
On either 3 February or 4 February,{{efn|The order did not come into public view till 5 February, but the institutions citing the order were already implementing it on Thursday, 3 February<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 February 2022 |title=Karnataka hijab row deepens as students petition court |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-60256262 }}</ref> and Friday, 4 February.<ref name="Guardian Violent clashes" />}} the government issued an order stating that the uniforms mandated by the state government, the school managements or college development committees must be worn compulsorily.<ref name="prescribed">{{Cite news |date=6 February 2022 |title=Follow dress code prescribed by College Development Committees, says Karnataka Government |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hijab-row-follow-dress-code-prescribed-by-college-management-committees-says-karnataka-government/article38384670.ece |id={{ProQuest|2625655688}} |quote="Invoking 133 (2) of the Karnataka Education Act 1983, which says a uniform style of clothes has to be worn compulsorily, the private school administration can choose a uniform of their choice," the government order said. }}</ref> Students following religious tenents adversely impacted "equality and unity" in colleges, according to the order.<ref name="Hindu dress code" /> The preamble stated that a ban on hijab was not illegal, and cited three court orders from Kerala, Bombay and Madras High Courts.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 February 2022 |title=Follow dress code prescribed by College Development Committees, says Karnataka Government |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hijab-row-follow-dress-code-prescribed-by-college-management-committees-says-karnataka-government/article38384670.ece |id={{ProQuest|2625655688}} |quote=The preamble to the operative part of the order, issued under the Karnataka Education Act, 1983, stated that a ban on hijab was not illegal. }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |
For those colleges where the college development committees did not mandate a uniform, the students must still wear attire that maintains "equality and unity and doesn't hamper public order".<ref name="Hindu dress code">{{Cite news |date=6 February 2022 |title=Follow dress code prescribed by College Development Committees, says Karnataka Government |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hijab-row-follow-dress-code-prescribed-by-college-management-committees-says-karnataka-government/article38384670.ece |id={{ProQuest|2625655688}} }}</ref>
The education minister B. C. Nagesh made a statement declaring, "those who want to defy the government's school uniform regulations cannot enter their schools and attend classes".<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 February 2022 |title=Hijab row: If you don't stick to uniform, you cannot attend classes, says Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/hijab-row-if-you-dont-stick-to-uniform-you-cannot-attend-classes-says-karnataka-education-minister-nagesh/articleshow/89383503.cms }}</ref>
=== Fallout ===
The impact of the government order was
In [[Kundapura]], 28 students wearing hijab were barred from entering the Government PU College premises on 3 February.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 February 2022 |title=Karnataka hijab row: Management pushed students, refused to give answers, says student |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/karnataka-hijab-row-udupi-muslim-students-protest-1908874-2022-02-04 }}</ref> Hindu students had apparently come in saffron scarves the previous day, and the minister B. C. Nagesh informed the college that students could come to classes in only uniforms and neither hijab nor saffron scarves would be allowed.<ref name="thequint.com" />
The students were very anxious because their public exams were just two months away. ''[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]]'' commented that their "tearful pleas fell on deaf ears".<ref name="Telegraph Kundapura">{{Cite news |last=Rakesh |first=K. M. |date=5 February 2022 |title=More colleges in Karnataka stop Muslim girls from wearing hijab |work=The Telegraph (India) |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/more-colleges-in-karnataka-stop-muslim-girls-from-wearing-hijab/cid/1850588 |id={{ProQuest|2625383593}} }}</ref>
At
Some of the students said their college's treatment was "humiliating".<ref name="Guardian Violent clashes" />
At the Dr BB Hegde College, where the hijab-wearing students were blocked by saffron protesters the previous day, the college administration banned the hijab on 4 February, citing the government order. The students had apparently been wearing hijab for three years at the school without issue.<ref name="Guardian Violent clashes">{{Cite news |date=9 February 2022 |title=Violent clashes over hijab ban in southern India force schools to close |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/09/violent-clashes-over-hijab-ban-in-southern-india-force-schools-to-close }}</ref>
On 8 February, [[Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College]] prevented students in hijab from entering, even though multiple students said the college had not objected to her hijab in the past.<ref name="NYT Court">{{Cite news |
The dispute then began to spread to other institutions across Karnataka, between Muslim students who wanted to wear hijab and the administrations barring them. The controversy intensified in early February 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hijab Row Live: Protests Intensify, Spread To Other States, Karnataka High Court Hearing Today |work=NDTV News |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hijab-row-live-protests-intensify-spread-to-other-states-karnataka-high-court-hearing-today-2757432 }}</ref> Between 4 and 7 February, counter-protests led by students who were against allowing students wearing the hijab to enter the college. These students marched to the college wearing saffron shawls. However, authorities stopped them from entering the premises and asked the students to remove the shawls.<ref name="Firstpost arrested" /> The students were allowed in only after they complied with the request.{{refn|name=AAP|Sources for students were allowed in only after they removed hijab:<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 February 2022 |title=Kundapur college students march wearing saffron shawls |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/kundapur-college-students-march-wearing-saffron-shawls/article38386142.ece }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 February 2022 |title=Principal asks boys to remove saffron shawl before attending classes |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/principal-asks-boys-to-remove-saffron-shawl-before-attending-classes/article38379162.ece }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 February 2022 |title=Hijab row: Students in saffron shawls take out processions |work=The New Indian Express |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-districts/hijab-row-students-in-saffron-shawls-take-out-processions-1078328.html }}</ref><ref name="Firstpost arrested">{{Cite news |date=7 February 2022 |title=Hijab-saffron shawl controversy: Two arrested for carrying 'lethal weapons' as row continues in Karnataka colleges |work=Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/hijab-saffron-shawl-controversy-continues-to-linger-in-karnataka-colleges-10355081.html }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=7 February 2022 |title=Hijab-saffron shawl controversy continues in Karnataka colleges |work=Business Today |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/story/hijab-saffron-shawl-controversy-continues-in-karnataka-colleges-321743-2022-02-07 }}</ref>}} On 7 February, some students wore blue shawls and chanted ''[[Jai Bhim]]'' at a college in [[Chikmagalur]] in ''support'' of Muslim girls in hijab (as opposed to the saffron shawls that were against the wearing of hijab).<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 February 2022 |title=Blue shawls back Muslim girls in hijab row against saffron shawls in Chikkamagaluru college |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hijab-row-takes-a-new-turn-as-blue-shawls-counter-saffron-shawls-in-chikkamagaluru-college/article65044253.ece }}</ref>
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Several students from the Udupi PU college filed a [[writ petition]] in the [[Karnataka High Court]] on 31 January. The petition sought the wearing of hijab to be recognised as a [[fundamental rights in India|fundamental right]] under Article 14 and Article 25 of the Indian constitution as it is an essential Islamic practice. The Campus Front of India said it provided them legal advice.{{sfn|Sayeed|2022|loc=Sec. CFI's involvement}} The petition also argued that singling out the petitioner solely on the basis of wearing hijab is against "constitutional morality".<ref name="TNM petition">{{Cite news |date=31 January 2022 |title=Karnataka hijab row: Student moves HC, seeks interim relief to attend classes |work=The News Minute |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/karnataka-hijab-row-student-moves-hc-seeks-interim-relief-attend-classes-160438 }}</ref><ref name="Hindu petitions">{{Cite news |date=4 February 2022 |title=HC to hear petitions of Muslim students questioning hijab restriction in college |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hc-to-hear-petitions-of-muslim-students-questioning-hijab-restriction-in-college/article65012081.ece |id={{ProQuest|2625150509}} }}</ref> The petition was argued by senior advocate Ravivarma Kumar and other lawyers.<ref name="DH 14 Feb">{{Cite news |date=14 February 2022 |work=Deccan Herald |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/hijab-row-students-seek-karnataka-hcs-nod-to-use-uniform-stole-to-cover-their-head-1081535.html |title=Hijab row: Students seek Karnataka HC's nod to use uniform stole to cover their head }}</ref>
A second petition was filed by a student from Kundapura (referred to as "Smt Rasham") around 4 February, seeking a directive to permit Muslim students to wear hijab to classes.<ref name="TOI pleas">{{Cite news |date=4 February 2022 |title=Karnataka hijab row grows, High Court to hear pleas |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/karnataka-hijab-row-grows-high-court-to-hear-pleas/articleshow/89332316.cms |id={{ProQuest|2625026024}} }}</ref><ref name="Hindu petitions" /> The petitioner was represented by senior advocate Davadatt Kamat.<ref name="IT top points">{{Cite news |date=15 February 2022 |title=Hijab row in HC: Turkey & South Africa to Heckler's Veto, top points from court hearing |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/karnataka-hijab-row-high-court-hearing-turkey-south-africa-heckler-veto-religion-1913481-2022-02-15 }}</ref> Two students from the Bhandarkar's arts and science college in Kundapura also filed a petition, who were represented by senior advocate Yusuf Muchhala.<ref name="FPJ High Court">{{Cite news |date=8 February 2022 |title=Karnataka: After passing over, High Court takes up Hijab row matter |work=The Free Press Journal |id={{ProQuest|2626620100}}}}</ref><ref name="Hindu Hobson">{{Cite news |date=16 February 2022 |title=Hijab row:
Hearings began on 8 February, with Justice Krishna S. Dixit presiding. After hearing the initial arguments, the judge concluded that the chief issue was whether wearing hijab is an essential religious practice, and, if it is so, why the state should interfere in the matter.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 February 2022 |title=Hijab row: Maintain peace, says Karnataka high court as tempers flare |work=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hijab-row-maintain-peace-says-karnataka-high-court-as-tempers-flare-101644345793053.html }}</ref> The judge decided that, given its public importance, the case should be heard by a "full bench" (consisting of three judges). A full bench consisting of the Chief Justice [[Ritu Raj Awasthi]], Justice Dixit and Justice Khazi Jaibunnisa Mohiuddin was constituted the next day. By this stage, there were said to be five petitions representing 18 students in front of the court. Hearings resumed on 10 February.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 February 2022 |title=Hijab plea goes to three-judge bench including Karnataka Chief Justice |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/karnataka-hijab-row-hc-three-judge-bench-woman-judge-7764966/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=9 February 2022 |title=Hijab row: Karnataka High Court refers matter to larger bench |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/hijab-row-karnataka-high-court-refers-matter-to-larger-bench-122020901142_1.html }}</ref>
The three-judge bench passed an [[interim order]] on 11 February. It requested the State to re-open the educational institutions and restrained students from wearing any sort of religious clothes in classrooms until the court decided the matter.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Plumber |first=Mustafa |date=11 February 2022 |title=Hijab Ban : Karnataka High Court Uploads Interim Order Banning Religious Dress in Colleges Where Uniform Is Prescribed |work=Live Law |url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/hijab-ban-karnataka-high-court-uploads-interim-order-banning-religious-dress-in-colleges-where-uniform-is-prescribed-191706 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2022 |title=Hijab ban: Karnataka HC asks students not to wear religious dress till verdict |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/hijab-ban-karnataka-hc-asks-students-not-to-wear-religious-dress-till-verdict-7766673/ }}</ref> Following the order few people from a Muslim organization Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaat threatened the judges citing an
=== Religious rights ===
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== High Court verdict ==
The Karnataka High Court upheld the ban on hijab by the educational institutes on 15 March 2022.<ref name="Siasat Karnataka HC"/> The court ruled that hijab is not an essential religious practice under Islam and, hence,
== Supreme Court ==
The [[Supreme Court of India]] rejected the petitions demanding an urgent hearing of the case.
A two-judge panel returned a split decision in October: one judge, [[Hemant Gupta]], upheld the Karnataka High Court ruling, while the other, [[Sudhanshu Dhulia]], found it had ruled in error. The judges requested the Chief Justice to refer the matter to a larger bench.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-10-13 |title=Supreme Court on hijab: India top court judges split on headscarf in classrooms |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63225351 |access-date=2022-10-13}}</ref>
== Violence ==
Parallel to the protests, there have been several instances of violence. Allegedly, these were a result of the victims' social media posts against allowing the hijab in colleges. Dilip, a shopkeeper in [[Davanagere]], was attacked by a mob who dragged him out of his shop where he was attacked and stabbed. A man Naveen and his mother Sarojamma were also attacked in the village of Nallur, by an angry mob of around 300 masked people bearing deadly weapons. Both were alleged by the victims families to be a result of posting an anti hijab status on [[
On 21 February, a [[Bajrang Dal]] member who took part in the anti-hijab protests<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=
Sections of the [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]] were invoked by the police, and the [[National Investigation Agency|National Investigation Agency (NIA)]]
Hazra Shifa, one of the petitioners in the Karnataka High Court, alleged that her brother Saif was beaten up by a group of intoxicated people, who opposed the statements made by their father to a local news channel in support of the hijab. In her social media post, she alleged that the attackers were "Sangh Parivar goons".<ref>{{
== Reactions ==
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** In a statement, Anil Singh, the Prant Sanchalak (Awadh) of the MRM backed the burqa-clad student who was heckled by youth shouting '[[Jai Shri Ram]]' slogans at a Karnataka college, saying ‘purdah’ is part of Indian culture.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 February 2022 |title=Asaduddin Owaisi dials Mandya girl heckled for wearing hijab, praises… |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/asaduddin-owaisi-dials-mandya-girl-heckled-for-wearing-hijab-praises-her-fearlessness-1080011.html }}</ref>
** The MRM distanced itself from Singh's statement and said that it does not support such "fanaticism and religious frenzy" and supported the enforcement of dress code in educational institutions in Karnataka.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 February 2022 |title=Hijab Row: RSS' Muslim wing distances itself from UP functionary supporting burqa-clad girl |url=https://theprint.in/india/hijab-row-rss-muslim-wing-distances-itself-from-up-functionary-supporting-burqa-clad-girl/827318/ |newspaper=The Print |agency=[[Press Trust of India]] }}</ref>
* [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] -
* Education ministers in BJP ruled [[Himachal Pradesh]] and [[Tripura]] said their governments currently had no plans for a uniform dress code.<ref name="iramsiddique">{{Cite news |first1=Iram |last1=Siddique |first2=Santosh |last2=Singh |first3=Debraj |last3=Deb |first4=Pallavi |last4=Smart |title=Hijab row: MP talks of code on uniform, Bihar, and Tripura strike note of caution |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bhopal/state-government-call-banning-hijab-schools-madhya-pradesh-minister-7762616/ }}</ref>
* Education ministers of [[Maharashtra]] and [[West Bengal]], both states ruled by opposition parties, accused the BJP of "politicising" the school uniform.<ref name="iramsiddique" /> West Bengal education minister promised his state would "never" implement a hijab ban.<ref name="iramsiddique" /> Maharashtra education minister maintained the [[Indian Constitution]] gave [[freedom of religion]].<ref name="iramsiddique" /> [[Rajasthan]] Education Minister [[Bulaki Das Kalla]] said his state doesn't restrict the hijab and accused the BJP of "mak[ing] issues out of non-issues".<ref name="iramsiddique" />
* [[Sonam Kapoor]] – She shared an Instagram picture of a man in a turban and a woman in a hijab, and it questions why can a turban be a choice but a hijab can't.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sonam Kapoor On Hijab Row: If Turban Can Be A Choice, Then Why Not Hijab |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sonam-kapoor-on-hijab-row-if-turban-can-be-a-choice-then-why-not-hijab-2762663 |newspaper=NDTV News }}</ref>
* [[Arif Mohammad Khan]], a BJP leader and [[governor of Kerala|governor of the state of Kerala]], stated that Islam has only [[Five Pillars of Islam|five essential practices of Islam]], and that hijab wasn't one of them and thus Article 25 of the Indian constitution didn't apply to the hijab as the article covers only essential, intrinsic and integral practices. He also added that following the ban on triple talaq, Muslim women are "having a sense of freedom" and are "pursuing education" and "joining great career" and that the ongoing row is "not a controversy but a conspiracy" and a "sinister design" to push back Muslim women, especially young girls.<ref>{{cite news|title="Only 5 things Essential in Islam, Hijab Not Among Them": Kerala Governor|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/only-5-things-essential-in-islam-hijab-not-among-them-kerala-governor-2772503|newspaper=NDTV News}}</ref>
* [[Kerala chief minister|Kerala CM]] [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] condemned the hijab row in Karnataka, stating "This shows how dangerous communalism is for our country. Educational institutions should be places to nurture secularism. Instead, efforts are made to inject communal venom in young children." He tweeted a picture of schoolgirls in Kerala wearing hijabs.<ref>{{cite news|date=10 February 2022|title=Kerala minister shares pic of students wearing hijab at CM event, says 'our pride'|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-minister-shares-pic-students-wearing-hijab-cm-event-says-our-pride-160852|newspaper=The News Minute}}</ref>
* [[Kamal Haasan]] stated, "What's happening in Karnataka shouldn't be allowed in Tamil Nadu."<ref>{{cite news|date=9 February 2022|title=Kamal Haasan on Hijab row: What's happening in Karnataka shouldn't be allowed in Tamil Nadu|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/kamal-haasan-on-hijab-row-karnataka-tamil-nadu-7763906/|newspaper=The Indian Express}}</ref>
* Citizen group ''Bahutva Karnataka'' alleged that the violence related to the Hijab controversy was perpetrated by members of [[Hindutva]] organisations associated with the RSS and that these organisations coaxed, exhorted and threatened youth. They also claimed that the statewide incidents of anti-hijab protests in colleges appeared to be coordinated. They stated that they came to these conclusions after visiting the spots where religious violence had occurred.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hindutva organisations behind violence amid hijab row: Forum |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2022/feb/12/hindutva-organisations-behind-violence-amid-hijab-row-forum-2418431.html |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Staff Reporter |title=Writers appeal to stakeholders to protect
*Congress leader Mukarram Khan gave a statement that those who opposed the hijab would be chopped into pieces. A FIR was lodged against him on
*Journalist and author [[Rana Ayyub]] in an interview with the [[BBC]] allegedly referred to the hijab counter-protesters as "hindu terrorists" . A FIR was lodged against her under section 295 of IPC (insult to religion with malicious intent).<ref>{{Cite news
*[[Miss Universe 2021]] [[Harnaaz Sandhu]] said "Let them live the way they choose to. I think I just gave my perspective to it. And at the end of the day, that girl is dominated by the patriarchy system or if that girl is wearing a hijab, that's her choice. Even if she's getting dominated, she needs to come and speak." Until she doesn't support herself, how can I support her? And if that's her choice, then that's her choice. Let her live the way she wants to live. We are women of all colours, we are women of different cultures, we need to respect each other... I think we all have different lives, so why do you want to pressurise and dominate somebody else?<ref>{{Cite web |title="Just Gave My Perspective": Miss Universe 2021 On Hijab Comments |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/just-gave-my-perspective-miss-universe-2021-harnaaz-sandhu-on-hijab-comments-2852791 |access-date=31 March 2022|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
=== International ===
*{{flagicon|United States}} The [[United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom]], [[Rashad Hussain]] described the hijab ban as a violation of [[freedom of religion]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 February 2022 |title=Hijab ban violates religious freedom: U.S. on Karnataka hijab issue |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hijab-ban-violates-religious-freedom-us-on-karnataka-hijab-issue/article38416850.ece |issn=0971-751X }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Bahrain}} The [[National Assembly of Bahrain]] condemned the hijab ban imposed in educational institutions in an Indian state.<ref>{{cite news|date=17
*{{flagicon|Kuwait}} Kuwaiti MPs joined international criticism of hijab row; demanding for Kuwait to ban BJP leaders from entering the country.<ref>{{cite news|author=News9 Staff|date=18 February 2022|title=Kuwaiti MP joins international criticism of hijab row; demands ban on entry to BJP leaders|url=https://www.news9live.com/india/kuwaiti-mp-demands-ban-on-entry-to-bjp-leaders-as-world-reacts-to-hijab-row-154466|newspaper=NEWS9LIVE}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Pakistani Foreign Minister]] [[Shah Mahmood Qureshi]] accused India of denying Muslim girls their right to education. According to the Economic Times, he claimed that India is depriving Indian
*{{flagicon|Afghanistan|variant=Taliban}} [[Taliban]] spokesman [[Inamullah Samangani]] praised the college girls for wearing hijab and defending their religious values.<ref>{{cite news |title=हिजाब विवाद में कूदा तालिबान: प्रदर्शन कर रहीं लड़कियों का किया समर्थन, कहा-'इस्लामिक मूल्यों के लिए ये खड़ी हैं' |url=https://www.amarujala.com/world/taliban-supports-girls-protesting-for-hijab-in-karnataka |newspaper=Amar Ujala }}</ref>
*[[Human Rights Watch]] criticized the ban as a violation of the [[right to education]] without discrimination.<ref name="WP protests spread" /><ref>{{cite news |date=9 February 2022 |title=Hijab Ban in India Sparks Outrage, Protests |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/02/09/hijab-ban-india-sparks-outrage-protests |publisher=Human Rights Watch }}</ref>
* [[Malala Yousafzai]] tweeted that it is terrible to prevent girls wearing hijab from entering school. She said that there were still objections against women in the matter of dressing more or less and demanded that Indian leaders should stop the process of separating Muslim women from the mainstream.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 February 2022 |title='Horrifying': Malala Yousafzai reacts to Karnataka hijab row |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/malala-yousafzai-karnataka-hijab-row-muslim-women-1910558-
*[[Paul Pogba]] slammed Hindu mob for harassing Muslim girls in hijab by sharing an Instagram story.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2022 |title=Manchester United star Paul Pogba slams Hindu mob for harassing Muslim girls in hijab |work=Zee News |url=https://zeenews.india.com/football/manchester-united-star-paul-pogba-slams-hindu-mob-for-harassing-muslim-girls-in-hijab-2435450.html }}</ref>
*[[Taslima Nasrin]] supported the implementation of a secular dress code in schools and colleges, and added that "hijab or niqab or burqa are symbols of oppression".<ref>{{cite news|title=Hijab is a symbol of oppression: Taslima Nasreen|date=17 February 2022|publisher=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hijab-a-symbol-of-oppression-taslima-nasreem-1914069-2022-02-17%7D%7D}}</ref>
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=== Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ===
*Reacting to comments by some countries, including the United States, on the controversy, the [[Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs
*Reacting to the statement by the General Secretariat of the OIC, the MEA's spokesperson termed the statement "motivated and misleading" and the OIC Secretariat's mindset "communal". He also said that the "OIC continues to be hijacked by vested interests to further their nefarious propaganda against India. As a result, it has only harmed its own reputation."<ref>{{cite web |date=15 February 2022 |title=Official Spokesperson's response to media queries regarding recent statement by General Secretariat of the OIC |url=https://www.mea.gov.in/response-to-queries.htm?dtl/34867/Official_Spokespersons_response_to_media_queries_regarding_recent_statement_by_General_Secretariat_of_the_OIC |publisher=Ministry of External Affairs Government of India }}</ref>
==Impact==
After the High Court verdict which upheld the hijab ban in government schools, many women students were either turned away or did not appear for the class 10th and 12th board exams.<ref>{{cite news |title=Karnataka: As Class 10 Board Exams Begin, Hijab-Clad Students Forced to Change |url=https://thewire.in/education/karnataka-as-class-10-board-exams-begin-hijab-clad-students-forced-to-change |access-date=2022-09-12 |work=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |date=2022-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sood |first1=Anusha Ravi |title=Karnataka hijab petitioners turned away from exam centre, likely to lose academic year |url=https://theprint.in/india/karnataka-hijab-petitioners-turned-away-from-exam-centre-likely-to-lose-academic-year/926631/ |access-date=2022-09-12 |work=[[The Print]] |date=2022-04-22 |ref=none}}</ref>
In August 2022, six months after the order banning hijab from government colleges, an [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] response revealed that 145 of 900 (16%) female Muslim students from government and aided colleges in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, which were at the centre of the hijab controversy, took transfer certificates. Some of these students took admission in a college where hijab was allowed, while others did not take admission anywhere due to inability to pay the college fees. The number of transfer certificates were higher in government colleges (34%) in comparison to aided colleges (8%).<ref>{{cite news |title=Hijab Ban: 16% Muslim girls from Mangalore University colleges drop out |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/mangaluru/hijab-ban-16-muslim-girls-from-mangalore-university-colleges-drop-out-1137668.html|access-date=2022-09-15 |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=2022-08-20}}</ref>
A study published by human rights body [[People's Union for Civil Liberties|People’s Union for Civil Liberties]] (PUCL) reported that the move to ban hijab has widened the social divide and increased fear among Muslims in Karnataka.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Taniya |title='Very Frightening' to Enter Campus Alone: Muslim Students Recount Hijab Ban's Impact |url=https://thewire.in/rights/very-frightening-to-enter-campus-alone-muslim-students-recount-hijab-bans-impact |access-date=2022-09-15 |work=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]] |date=2022-09-12}}</ref>
==Rescission==
In 2023, the [[Indian National Congress]] became the majority party after [[2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|elections for the Karnataka Legislative Assembly]]. Chief Minister [[Siddaramaiah]] promised to lift the hijab ban, but this had not occurred by December,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Achom |first=Debanish |date=2023-12-23 |title="Not Done Yet": Siddaramaiah's Clarification After Big Hijab Statement |url=https://www.ndtv.com/karnataka-news/not-done-yet-karnataka-chief-minister-siddaramaiah-clarifies-after-big-hiijab-ban-statement-4728689 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=NDTV}}</ref> when Siddaramaiah had said such was only being "contemplated".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-23 |title=Hijab ban withdrawal: We are only ‘contemplating’ such a move, says Siddaramaiah |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/government-is-still-considering-withdrawal-of-ban-on-hijab-says-siddaramaiah/article67668799.ece |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
== See also ==
*
*
* [[Women in Islam]]
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* [https://www.livelaw.in/pdf_upload/75-resham-v-state-of-karnataka-15-mar-2022-412165.pdf Resham v. State of Karnataka and Others with connected cases The High Court of Karnataka @ Bengluru Judgement dated 15th March, 2022 Link on Live Law]
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