Members of Sri Ram Sene staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kalaburagi recently against the State government’s recent circular allowing students to wear religious symbols, including the hijab, along with school uniforms.

Sene district president Laxmikanth Swadi termed the Congress government’s move as politically motivated and aimed at appeasing particular communities for vote-bank politics.

In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah through the Deputy Commissioner, the Sene members argued that the High Court of Karnataka upheld in 2022 restrictions on the hijab in educational institutions observing that it is not an essential religious practice.

The protesters said that the Congress government’s latest order violates the spirit of the court ruling and amounts to contempt of court.

The memorandum stated that the uniform system, strengthened during the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure, is intended to remove distinctions based on caste, religion and economic background.

According to the protesters, permitting visible religious symbols inside classrooms will weaken equality and unity among students.

Mr. Swadi said that School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMC) have the authority to decide on school discipline and uniforms and accused the State government of interfering in their functioning.

The protesters also rejected comparisons between the hijab and Hindu symbols such as the janivara or rudraksha beads arguing that the latter are generally worn beneath clothing and do not alter the prescribed uniform.

Sri Ram Sene members warned of a State-wide agitation if the circular is not withdrawn. They said that students may wear saffron shawls in protest if hijab is allowed in classrooms.