The Karnataka government, on June 14, 2024, officially announced the withdrawal of its controversial 2022 order that prohibited students from wearing hijabs and other religious symbols in educational institutions across the state. This executive decision allows for the wearing of limited religious symbols on school and college campuses, marking a significant policy shift from the previous administration. The directive applies to all government, aided, and private educational facilities within Karnataka.

The original ban, implemented on February 5, 2022, by the then-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, cited the need for uniformity and secularism in classrooms, requiring students to adhere strictly to prescribed uniforms. This order led to widespread protests, particularly from Muslim students and their families, who argued it infringed upon their religious freedom and right to education. Many students were denied entry to classrooms or examinations for wearing the hijab, leading to significant disruption in academic life.

The legal challenge to the ban escalated quickly. In March 2022, the Karnataka High Court upheld the state government's order, ruling that the wearing of the hijab was not an essential religious practice in Islam and that prescribed uniforms promoted equality and public order. This verdict further intensified the debate and led to an appeal before the Supreme Court of India. In October 2022, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict, with Justice Hemant Gupta upholding the ban and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia setting it aside. The split decision meant the Karnataka High Court's order remained in effect, keeping the ban in place pending further review by a larger bench of the Supreme Court.

Following the change in state government, with the Congress party coming to power in May 2023, there were indications of a re-evaluation of the policy. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the withdrawal of the 2022 order, stating the government's intention to create an environment where no student is deprived of education based on clothing choices. He emphasized that the government aims to ensure access to education for all children without barriers, fostering an inclusive learning environment. The new order specifically permits limited religious symbols, signifying a balance between individual religious expression and maintaining a conducive educational atmosphere.

The reversal is expected to have a direct impact on thousands of students, particularly Muslim women, who had previously faced the dilemma of choosing between their education and their religious observance. Education department officials will now be responsible for communicating the updated guidelines to school and college managements across the state. This move is anticipated to ease tensions that had prevailed in educational settings and could potentially lead to a decrease in dropout rates among affected communities. Further clarity on the precise definition of "limited religious symbols" and any accompanying guidelines is awaited from the state's education department as institutions prepare for the upcoming academic year.