Instagram · May 31, 2026
Karnataka Government Revokes 2022 Order, Allows Hijabs and Other Religious Symbols in Schools
Karnataka's government has withdrawn the 2022 order that restricted students from wearing the hijab and other small religious symbols in schools and colleges, and has issued a new directive allowing limited religious and traditional items (like hijabs, turbans, and the sacred thread) to be worn along with the prescribed uniform. The change says uniforms remain mandatory, these items must be supplementary (not replace or alter the uniform), and no student can be denied entry, attendance, or examinations for wearing them. The order applies to government, aided and private educational institution
What's right
What's wrong
Breakdown
Government Order Revoked and New Guidelines Issued The Karnataka government has officially withdrawn the Government Order No: EP 14 SHH 2022, dated February 5, 2022, which had restricted students from wearing hijabs and other small religious symbols in educational institutions [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. This revocation was effective immediately as of May 13 [1][3][5][8].
Permitted Religious and Traditional Items A new directive has been issued, allowing students to wear limited religious and traditional items such as hijabs, turbans, and sacred threads alongside the prescribed uniform [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. These items are permitted provided they are supplementary to the uniform and do not replace, alter, or undermine its basic purpose, nor interfere with discipline, safety, or student identification [1][6][7][9].
Scope and Application The new guidelines apply to all government, aided, and private educational institutions, including pre-university colleges, across Karnataka, for students up to Class 12 [1][2][3][7][9]. The government stated that discipline and order can be maintained without restricting these limited traditional and practice-based symbols [1][6].
The order also emphasizes that no student should be denied entry, attendance, or examinations for wearing these permitted items [1][6].