On May 13, 2026, Karnataka's Minister for School Education and Literacy, Madhu Bangarappa, announced new dress code rules permitting students to wear religious symbols such as turbans, sacred threads, and headscarves alongside their prescribed uniforms. This decision was influenced by Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who highlighted an incident where students were forced to remove sacred threads during exams, undermining their confidence. The new order stipulates that these symbols must complement the uniform without altering its basic purpose. Despite this, existing national and state-level dress code rules for examinations will still apply. Opposition leader R. Ashoka criticized the government, claiming the move is a tactic for political appeasement aimed at minority communities, particularly in light of recent electoral challenges. He suggested that the Congress party is repeating past mistakes that led to unrest in other regions. Additionally, the Supreme Court of India is still deliberating on the broader legal issues surrounding the hijab controversy, following a split verdict from a two-judge bench.