Permission is granted to wear the Hijab, Janivara, and Rudraksha

Bengaluru, May 13: The Karnataka government has announced a significant decision regarding the uniform rules of schools and colleges in the state. The government has withdrawn the uniform order issued on February 05, 2022, which was the subject of much debate and controversy across the state, with immediate effect. Following this, it has issued new directions officially allowing students to wear limited traditional and custom-based symbols along with the prescribed uniform.

According to the new order issued on May 13, all government, aided and private schools and pre-university colleges in the state will continue to prescribe and make uniforms mandatory as per their rules. However, the government has given free rein to students to wear turbans, Janiwara, Shivdara, Rudraksha and headscarves or hijab along with this uniform. The government has also taken this decision after reviewing the dress code rules adopted in Kendriya Vidyalayas under the Central Government.

The government has clearly warned that no student shall be denied entry to an educational institution, classroom, examination room or academic activities solely on the ground of wearing such faith-based symbols on the uniform. Education is an important tool for the holistic development of students and inculcating constitutional values. Therefore, the government has asserted that it is essential to ensure that no one is denied the right to education due to limited faith-based practices.

Conditions apply

There are some clear conditions in this permission given by the government. The traditional symbols worn by students should complement the school uniform and should not replace or modify the prescribed uniform. Also, these should not interfere with school discipline, safety and identification of students in any way. No student shall be forced to wear such symbols or be forcibly asked to remove them. However, in examination situations, the dress code rules prescribed by the national and state level authorities will apply.

Secularism in the constitutional sense does not mean opposition to individual beliefs, but equal respect for all. The government should have an equal stance towards all religions in accordance with constitutional principles. For this purpose, the order mentions that educational institutions should not be just teaching centers, but should be centers for instilling scientificity, equality and secular outlook among students. School Development and Oversight Committees (SDOs), college governing bodies should not discriminate against any student and should not humiliate them. The government has directed that discipline should be maintained by adopting an inclusive stance based on the noble principle of Jagajyoti Basavanna “This is ours”. It has been clarified that all previous circulars and institutional directives that are contrary to this order will be null and void. The Director of the Department of School Education and Pre-University Education will take necessary steps for the implementation of this order.

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