Will Congress Lift Hijab Ban In Karnataka? Here's What Minister Dr G Parameshwara Says

State minister Dr G Parameshwara on Wednesday responded to Amnesty India's demand to lift the Hijab ban in educational institutions in Karnataka by stating the government will look into the issue in future.

He indicated that the priority of the Congress' government is to fulfil the five poll promises. "We will see in future what best we can do. Right now, we have to fulfil the five guarantees we made to the people of Karnataka," ANI quoted Parameshwara in a tweet.

In a series of Tweets on Tuesday, Amnesty India urged the Siddaramaiah government to prioritize and uphold "human rights for all" in the state.

"Immediately revoke the ban on women wearing hijabs in educational institutions. The ban forces Muslim girls to choose between their rights to freedom of expression and religion, and their right to education, hindering their ability to meaningfully participate in society," it said.

A controversy broke out last year after a government college in Udupi refused to allow Muslim girls to write exams wearing Hijab. The incident sparked protests by Muslim organizations and civil rights activists, who accused the college of violating the girl's right to freedom of religion and expression.

In October last year, the SC delivered a split verdict on the ban on wearing hijab in educational institutions in Karnataka - one judge affirmed that the state government is authorised to enforce uniform in schools, while the other called the hijab a matter of choice that cannot be stifled by the state.

Also, Amnesty India has urged the Congress government to review and repeal discriminatory provisions in the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020 and the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2022, which can be misused and weaponized against minorities.

Amnesty India also asked the state government to make people accountable for hate crimes. "Ahead of the state elections, calls for economic boycott and violence against Muslim people were made with impunity. Ensure accountability for such advocacy of hatred and end hate crimes that are motivated by religious and caste-based discrimination," it tweeted.

It has to be noted that KPCC Chief and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, during the poll campaign, had stated that the ban on hijab and all laws made on the communal basis by the previous BJP government would be withdrawn after Congress comes to power.