In a significant announcement, the Karnataka government has granted permission for students to wear hijab during competitive exams, reigniting a contentious debate that emerged last year.
The decision to allow hijab in competitive exams has faced opposition from pro-Hindu groups, led by Karnataka Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar, who have threatened to stage protests in response to the ruling.
Minister Sudhakar has staunchly defended the government’s decision, underlining the importance of personal freedom and choice in a secular country like India. He also reassured that students wearing hijab will be subject to thorough checks, necessitating their arrival at the exam center at least an hour before the commencement of the exam, a procedure akin to the NEET entrance examination.
Sudhakar criticized the protesters, highlighting that their actions potentially infringe on the rights of others and reiterated that India upholds its secular values.
The controversy over students wearing hijab initially flared up in January 2022 when Muslim schoolgirls at Udupi Women’s Pre-University college attended classes while wearing the headscarf.
