Former Karnataka Minister P.G.R. Sindya on Friday, 15 May backed students' right to wear the hijab in educational institutions, arguing that the issue is one of personal faith and freedom of expression — not an educational controversy. Sindya, a former close associate of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, made the remarks in Bidar, Karnataka, amid a widening political storm over the state government's revised uniform policy.

What Sindya Said

Speaking on the ongoing debate over hijabs in schools and colleges, Sindya described the garment as simply a form of dress. 'Hijab is undoubtedly a matter of faith. Like many other forms of clothing we wear, the hijab is also a type of dress. There is nothing wrong with wearing it or choosing not to wear it,' he said.

Sindya added that, in his view, wearing a hijab has no impact on a student's education. 'People should have the freedom to wear what they choose. What is wrong if someone wears it? How is it connected to the education system?' he questioned. He further stated that if wearing the hijab is part of a person's faith, they should be allowed to wear it freely.

The Policy That Sparked the Debate

The remarks follow a significant policy shift by the Karnataka government, which on Wednesday withdrew its earlier order dated 5 February 2022 that had regulated school and college uniforms. In its place, the government issued fresh guidelines permitting students to wear 'limited traditional and faith-based symbols' alongside prescribed uniforms across educational institutions in the state. The revised policy allows hijabs and sacred threads but notably excludes saffron shawls and headgear, a distinction that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition ranks.

BJP Hits Back at Siddaramaiah

The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a pointed attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, accusing him of intolerance towards Hindu beliefs and religious symbols while allegedly displaying favouritism towards minority communities. The party's pushback centres on the government's decision not to permit saffron religious attire — a move the BJP characterises as selective accommodation of faith-based expression.

Higher Education Minister Takes a Swipe at Centre

Separately, Karnataka's Minister for Higher Education M.C. Sudhakar, speaking in Bengaluru, used the occasion to mock the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices at the Centre. Sudhakar sarcastically described the fuel price increase as 'a matter of happiness' for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's supporters, arguing that 'blind followers' of the Prime Minister would remain content regardless of any decision he takes. 'When people were told not to buy gold recently, they supported it. When they were told not to use vehicles, they said they would stop travelling. They will listen to whatever PM Modi says everywhere,' he remarked.

What Comes Next

The revised uniform policy has set off a broad political confrontation in Karnataka, with the hijab debate now intersecting with questions about equal treatment of religious symbols across communities. Whether the government amends its guidelines to address BJP concerns — or holds firm — is likely to define the next phase of this dispute. The controversy also arrives ahead of a politically sensitive period, making any course correction by the Siddaramaiah administration a high-stakes calculation.