Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy has accused the Congress party of exploiting the hijab issue for political gain in light of the upcoming by-election in the Davangere South Assembly Constituency. He stated that the hijab issue is currently in court with a stay order, asserting that there is no new information to discuss. Kumaraswamy criticized Congress for prioritizing political profit over societal harmony, particularly in light of a recent incident involving the removal of a sacred thread from a student during an examination. He also questioned the government's silence on the hijab issue for three years and suggested that the Congress's recent actions are aimed at appeasing a specific community rather than respecting the judiciary. This controversy is viewed as a tactic to sway voters ahead of the election.