The Congress government in Karnataka has officially allowed students to wear limited traditional and faith-based symbols, including hijabs and turbans, alongside their prescribed school uniforms. This directive, issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, reverses a controversial 2022 order from the previous BJP government that effectively prohibited hijabs in educational institutions. The new order emphasizes that educational spaces should promote equality, dignity, and mutual respect, asserting that secularism does not oppose personal beliefs but rather ensures equal respect for all. The directive specifies that while uniforms remain mandatory, students can wear supplementary religious symbols that do not alter the uniform's basic character. This decision comes after significant public debate and legal challenges regarding the wearing of hijabs, which had escalated into a divisive political issue in Karnataka. The government stated that no student should be denied entry to educational activities due to the wearing of these symbols, aiming to foster an inclusive environment in schools.