Congress Backs Hijab, Turbans in Karnataka Schools Amid BJP Backlash

The Karnataka hijab dispute has resurfaced, thrusting religious attire in classrooms back into the political spotlight. CM Siddaramaiah endorsed students' rights to don faith-based items such as Sikh turbans, Hindu tilaks, wrist bangles, and Muslim headscarves, but explicitly ruled out saffron shawls as political symbols. Minister Priyank Kharge defended the position robustly: 'No dress code rollback— we're upholding equal constitutional rights for all religious customs.' He listed examples clearly, challenging any misinterpretation, and invited the BJP to seek judicial recourse if dissatisfied. Sharpening his attack, Kharge remarked, 'Saffron shawls aren't religious traditions. Let BJP prioritize studies over indoctrinating youth into vigilante roles. Congress is committed to education as the path to prosperity.' Allies like Jamaat-e-Islami's Mohammad Yusuf Kanni praised the move for embodying India's pluralistic ethos, arguing it enhances educational equity and community participation post-independence struggles. Congress voices amplified the chorus. Spokesperson Naseer Hussain decried BJP's polarization tactics: 'Hijab is no favor—it's a fundamental right. Why block a girl's education over attire?' MP Imran Masood equated it to traditional veiling practices across India, questioning BJP's selective outrage while exam scandals erode student futures unchecked. This controversy highlights Karnataka's ongoing struggle to balance cultural expressions with institutional uniformity, as Congress rallies behind constitutional pluralism against perceived majoritarian pressures.