Karnataka allows rudraksha, janeu, hijab in classrooms, but shuts door on saffron shawls

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday clarified that saffron shawls would not be allowed in educational institutions under the state government’s order on religious symbols, while practices already in existence, such as hijab, turbans, rudraksha beads, and sacred threads (Janeu), would continue to be permitted.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah drew a clear line between long-standing religious practices and what he called new introductions. “Saffron shawls are not allowed. Those shawls cannot be worn. Turbans, sacred thread, Shiva dhara, rudraksha, and hijab can also be worn,” he told reporters.

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What the government order says

The Karnataka government on Wednesday passed an order allowing students to wear hijab, sacred thread, Shivadhara, and rudraksha in schools. The order scrapped the BJP government’s 2022 order banning hijab in government schools, which had followed the hijab versus saffron shawl controversy.

The Chief Minister stated that the order applies up to Class 12, covering high school, college, and primary school, applicable to all.

No new practices to be introduced

When asked whether saffron turbans worn as a symbol of saffron identity would be permitted under the new order, the Chief Minister was unambiguous. He said only practices already in existence would be allowed and no new practices could be introduced. “When we say turbans, we mean practices that already exist. Nothing new can be introduced. Only those practices and beliefs that already exist till now are allowed,” he said.

Threat by Hindu organisations

The clarification came against the backdrop of threats from certain groups to counter the government’s order.

A section of Hindu right-wing organisations had threatened to wear saffron shawls in schools after the government’s Wednesday order was announced. This prompted the Chief Minister’s public response the following day.

The opposition flayed the move and termed it “appeasement politics.” The BJP, which had originally issued the 2022 order banning hijab, has been vocal in its opposition to the Congress-led government’s decision to reverse that policy.

Background: The 2022 controversy

The current developments are rooted in events from early 2022. This stems from dispute over hijab and saffron shawls broke out across several colleges in Karnataka’s coastal districts. Students at various junior colleges had attempted to defy government orders on uniform. Some arriving in saffron shawls and others in hijabs, resulting in police intervention and college closures.

The Karnataka High Court, during that period, had issued an interim order restraining students of all religions from wearing saffron shawls, hijabs, religious flags, or similar items inside classrooms.

That order had remained in force until the current Congress government moved to revise it.