The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has banned any kind of head cover during upcoming recruitment exams of various boards and corporations to be held on November 18 and 19 in the state. The exam authority also banned any kind of electronic gadgets like phones and Bluetooth earphones inside the examination hall.
The order doesn't explicitly mention hijab, but has however stated that wearing “any garment or cap that covers head, mouth or ears” will not be allowed in the exam hall.
The previous BJP government in Karnataka had banned students from wearing hijabs to government schools in 2022. The matter was taken to court and the ban was upheld by the Karnataka high court in March 2022, which suggested that wearing hijabs can be restricted by the government colleges where uniforms are prescribed and ruled that “prescription of a school uniform” is a “reasonable restriction” that is “constitutionally permissible”.
The order was challenged in the Supreme Court, which delivered a split verdict in October 22. A two-judge bench said that the matter will be placed before the Chief Justice of India for his directions. However, the top court has not yet formed a bench to hear the matter.
After the Congress government came to power in May this year, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said the orders and legislations enforced under the previous BJP regime like school textbook revision and anti-conversion laws, which are against the state's interest, would be revised or withdrawn by the new Congress government after reviewing them.
