Karnataka Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday, 14 May 2026, attempted to defend his government’s controversial decision to revoke the Hijab ban in government educational institutions, while simultaneously stating that saffron shawls would not be permitted in schools and colleges, as reported in The New Indian Express.
The clarification came a day after the Congress government formally scrapped the 2022 order introduced under the BJP administration following the Hijab-versus-saffron shawl controversy that had erupted across Karnataka.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said that practices “already in existence” such as hijab, turbans, rudraksha beads, Shivadhara and sacred thread (Janeu) would continue to be allowed in educational institutions up to Class 12. However, he made it clear that saffron shawls would not receive the same treatment.
“Saffron shawls are not allowed. Those shawls cannot be worn. Turbans, sacred thread, Shiva dhara, rudraksha, and hijab can also be worn,” Siddaramaiah said.
The Congress government’s move has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties and Hindu organisations, many of whom accused the state government of engaging in blatant appeasement politics while selectively targeting expressions associated with Hindu identity.
While the government restored permission for visible Islamic religious attire like the hijab, it simultaneously moved to prohibit saffron shawls that emerged during the earlier protests as a symbolic response from Hindu students demanding equal treatment.
A section of Hindu right-wing organisations had warned that if hijabs were permitted again in classrooms, Hindu students too should be allowed to wear saffron shawls. Siddaramaiah, however, rejected the demand.
Asked whether saffron turbans or similar Hindu identity symbols would be allowed, the Chief Minister said only practices already existing historically could continue and that “nothing new can be introduced.”
“See, it is not just the hijab. People can also wear sacred threads, Shivadhara rudraksha beads – everyone can wear things according to their beliefs. This is allowed up to Class 12, whether it is high school, college or primary school. It applies to all. 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.
Students in #Karnataka will NOT be allowed to wear saffron shawls as part of the school uniforms, said CM Siddaramaiah.
Instead, students can wear hijab, turban, janivara (sacred thread).@timesofindia pic.twitter.com/UoDvpbahZg
— TOI Bengaluru (@TOIBengaluru) May 14, 2026
The Karnataka government’s order issued on Wednesday permits students to wear hijab, sacred threads, Shivadhara and rudraksha in schools and colleges, effectively reversing the BJP-era restrictions imposed during the height of the 2022 controversy.
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