Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced that his government would withdraw the ban on hijab in the state. CM said that directions have been given to the officials and the government order will be soon released.
While addressing a gathering in Mysore, CM Siddaramaiah said that a woman can "wear anything they want".
"Hijab ban isn't there anymore. (Women) can wear hijab and go anywhere. I have directed to withdraw the (ban) order. How you dress and what you eat is your choice. Why should I obstruct you? Wear what you want. Eat what you want," said CM.
During his speech, CM also pointed out that "I am wearing a dhoti...you wear pant shirt..what's wrong in that?"
The BJP government under CM B. Bommai had banned the head covering that disturb equality, integrity, and public order in educational institutes of the state. The decision had led to a row with massive protests erupting in many regions.
Later, the Karnataka HC upheld the state ban, saying that that wearing a hijab "is not an essential religious practice of Islam" and that the uniform dress rule should be followed in educational institutions. While the SC delivered a split verdict, with one judge stating that the state is authorised to enforce uniform in schools and others describing hijab as a matter of choice.
The BJP government issued an order on February 5 last year. The hijab ban had snowballed into a major controversy in the state after a few students at an Udupi college staged a protest alleging that they were not allowed to enter their classrooms wearing hijab.