The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka on Wednesday withdrew the controversial 2022 order issued by the then BJP government on school and college uniforms and issued fresh guidelines, allowing students to wear “limited traditional and faith-based symbols”, including sacred threads (janeu), Shiva beads, Rudraksha, hijab and turbans.
Karnataka School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said the decision was taken following directions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, emphasising that all religions and faiths must be respected.
Advertisement
“The government order issued in this regard specifically mentions turbans, sacred threads, Shiva beads, Rudraksha, headscarves/hijabs and similar commonly worn religious symbols as permissible,” the minister said.
Advertisement
He, however, added that such symbols should not interfere with discipline, safety or identification of students.
“Children come to school only for education, and we have to deliver that. They come with their own religious traditions. From today onwards, there are specific rules,” the minister told reporters.
According to the proceedings issued by Under Secretary S.N. Padmini of the Department of School Education and Literacy, the new order seeks to ensure “uniformity, equality, secularism and equal education” in all schools and colleges.
Invoking Sections 7 and 133(2) of the Karnataka Education Act, 1983, and Rule 11 of the Karnataka Educational Institutions Rules, 1995, the state government formally revoked the BJP government’s order dated February 5, 2022, with immediate effect.
The revised guidelines mandate that all government, aided and private schools, as well as pre-university colleges, continue enforcing prescribed uniforms as per institutional requirements and government directives.
At the same time, students will now be allowed to wear “limited traditional and custom-based symbols” along with uniforms, provided these do not alter or defeat the original purpose of the uniform.
Advertisement
