In late December 2021 a government college in Udupi, Karnataka, stopped six Muslim students from attending class in the hijab. By February 2022 the row had spread statewide, with saffron shawl counter-protests, a uniform order, clashes and school closures. The High Court upheld the order on 15 March 2022, the Supreme Court split on 13 October 2022, and the Congress government withdrew the order on 13 May 2026.
Key takeaways
- The Karnataka hijab row began in late December 2021, when the Government Women's PU College in Udupi kept six hijab-wearing Muslim students out of class; the college cited its uniform rule, the students their constitutional rights.
- In early February 2022 the dispute spread to Kundapura and other colleges, met by students in saffron shawls, and on 8 February stone-pelting in Shivamogga and Bagalkot led to Section 144 and a three-day closure of high schools and colleges.
- The BJP government's 5 February 2022 order made college-prescribed uniforms compulsory; on 15 March 2022 the Karnataka High Court upheld it and held the hijab not an essential religious practice in Islam.
- On 13 October 2022 the Supreme Court split, Justice Hemant Gupta upholding the ban and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia quashing it, and the case went to a larger bench. The Congress government withdrew the order on 13 May 2026.
How it started at the Udupi college
At the Government Women's PU College in Udupi, a state-run Class 11 and 12 college, six Muslim students who asked to wear the hijab in class were kept out of classrooms and marked absent from 31 December 2021 The Wire.
On 1 January 2022 the students appeared at a press conference held by the Campus Front of India (CFI), a student group, in Udupi PTI via Outlook. The same day, Udupi MLA K. Raghupati Bhat, who chairs the College Development Committee, met parents and said the college would keep its uniform code The Wire.
The education department told the college to maintain the "status quo" until an expert committee decided on dress codes, while admitting there was no mandatory uniform for government college students TNM.
What the college, the students and the state said
The college. Principal Rudre Gowda said students used to wear the headscarf on campus but removed it before entering class PTI via Business Today. He said:
The institution did not have any rule on hijab-wearing since no one used to wear it to the classroom in the last 35 years. The students who came with the demand had the backing of outside forces.
Principal Rudre Gowda, quoted by PTI
College Development Committee vice-president Yashpal Suvarna said only six of about 150 Muslim students raised the demand. "These girls who are members of Campus Front of India (CFI) are keen on creating controversy," he told Deccan Herald, adding that the uniform "was introduced to offer an egalitarian approach to education" The Wire The Quint.
The students. Aliya Assadi, one of the six, said a lecturer threatened to push them out of class if they entered in the hijab. "Though it is our fundamental right, though it is our constitutional right, they are still not allowing us to go in the class because we are wearing hijab," she said The Quint. The students also said they were barred from speaking Urdu or Beary, which the college denied The Wire.
The state. Education Minister B.C. Nagesh said the uniform rule would "create a good atmosphere in schools" The Quint.
How it spread to other colleges
From 31 January students filed petitions in the Karnataka High Court seeking a declaration that they had a right to wear the hijab The Quint.
On 3 February the Government PU College in Kundapura, also in Udupi district, shut its gates on students wearing the hijab, after a protest by students wearing saffron shawls to class; the hijab-wearing students then protested at the gate TNM. On 4 February two private colleges in Kundapura followed. Bhandarkars' College did so though its calendar book allowed a headscarf; principal Narayana Shetty cited "a possibility of 200 students wearing the saffron shawl inside the college" TNM.
On 7 February the Kundapura government college let hijab-wearing students onto campus but seated them in a separate room. Students in saffron shawls at the gate removed them only after being assured no hijab-wearing student would enter classrooms The Wire. TNM later reported that the saffron shawl protests at Udupi colleges were backed by the Hindu Jagarana Vedike, while the hijab-wearing students were backed by the CFI TNM.
The 5 February 2022 government order
On the evening of Saturday 5 February the state issued an order under Section 133(2) of the Karnataka Education Act, 1983. Students in pre-university colleges were to wear the dress chosen by the College Development Committee or the college's administrative board. Where no uniform was prescribed, "clothes which disturb equality, integrity and public law and order should not be worn" Scroll, citing PTI.
Government's position The order did not name the hijab. The state later told the Supreme Court that it applied equally to saffron shawls LiveLaw. The petitioners argued that the Act had no provision on uniforms and that the order was drafted "without application of mind" Supreme Court Observer.
Violence, closures and Section 144
On 8 February protests broke out in many districts TNM:
- Shivamogga: students in saffron shawls gathered at the Government First Grade College; one climbed the flagpole and hoisted a saffron flag. Stones were thrown in the city, police lathi-charged, and Section 144 was imposed.
- Bagalkot (Banhatti): the two groups of students threw stones until police intervened.
- Davanagere (Harihar): police used teargas and a baton charge at a college campus, and Section 144 was imposed.
At PES College in Mandya, a large group of young men in saffron shawls followed and shouted religious slogans at a lone student in a burqa, who shouted a religious slogan back before staff took her inside. She told reporters wearing the burqa was her choice TNM. Claim · Minister Minister Nagesh said the next day that the group "didn't want to gherao that girl", asked "Why did she provoke?", and said slogans of either religion should not be encouraged on campuses TNM. TNM's account of the video says the group approached her first TNM.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai ordered high schools and colleges shut from 9 to 11 February TNM. Bengaluru police banned any gathering within 200 metres of schools and colleges for two weeks, until 22 February TNM.
Government's position Nagesh blamed the protests on the CFI: "SDPI-backed Campus Front of India is behind it. Complete details will be known after investigation" TNM.
The High Court: interim order and verdict
On 9 February a single judge referred the case to a larger bench, and on 10 February a bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justices Krishna S. Dixit and J.M. Khazi began hearing it South First. Its interim order that day asked the state to reopen institutions and barred students from wearing hijabs, saffron shawls or other religious attire in class, where a dress code existed, until further orders Supreme Court Observer.
After 11 days of hearings, the verdict was reserved on 25 February South First.
On 15 March 2022 the court dismissed all the petitions TNM Business Today:
We are of the considered opinion that wearing of hijab by Muslim women does not form a part of essential religious practice in Islamic faith.
Karnataka High Court full bench, 15 March 2022
It held that a school uniform is a reasonable restriction students cannot object to, and that the petitioners had "miserably failed" to show the hijab was an essential practice TNM PTI via Business Today. It also said the way the "hijab imbroglio unfolded gives scope for the argument that some 'unseen hands' are at work to engineer social unrest and disharmony" The Leaflet Deccan Herald.
After the verdict: bandh, threats and exams
In Udupi, Aliya Assadi said: "We had so much hope in our judicial system, in our society and our constitutional values, but we are feeling like we have been betrayed." Fellow petitioner Almas AH asked: "Is uniform important for them more than our education?" Both said they would not attend college without the hijab TNM.
A bandh called by Muslim organisations on 17 March shut shops in parts of the state, and Bhatkal police booked PFI activists for allegedly forcing closures TNM.
After a Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath member issued death threats to the judges in a video, he was arrested and the judges got Y-category security Tribune TNM.
Exam boycotts. Before the Class 12 exams, Nagesh said: "Those wearing hijab won't be allowed to write the exam. Hijabs won't be permitted even for invigilators." On 22 April 2022 Aliya Assadi and another petitioner were turned away from the exam centre in Udupi after refusing to remove the hijab, and ThePrint reported that all six petitioners had missed their exams ThePrint Deccan Herald.
Dropouts. An RTI reply reported by Deccan Herald found that 145 of 900 Muslim women students in Mangalore University colleges in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi had taken transfer certificates Deccan Herald. Government's position Nagesh said no student had stopped studying because of the rule and "Hijab is not a barrier" Madhyamam.
The Supreme Court's split verdict
A bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia heard the appeals for ten days and reserved judgment on 22 September 2022 LiveLaw.
On 13 October 2022 the judges disagreed LiveLaw TNM:
- Justice Gupta framed 11 questions, answered all against the appellants and dismissed 26 appeals. He said allowing one community to wear its religious symbols would be an "antithesis to secularism" PTI via South First.
- Justice Dhulia quashed the 5 February order and set aside the High Court judgment. He said the High Court need not have applied the essential-practice test and that "It is ultimately a matter of choice. Nothing more, nothing less."
The matter was placed before the Chief Justice to set up a larger bench. Because the bench split, the High Court judgment was not overturned. On 23 January 2023 Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said "This is a three-judge bench matter" when students sought interim relief for practical exams South First. Scroll reported in May 2026 that the reference had been pending since 2022 Scroll.
Timeline
Six students kept out of class
Government Women's PU College, Udupi, refuses hijab in classrooms and marks the students absent The Wire.
Uniform order
State orders prescribed uniforms under Section 133(2) Scroll.
Violence and closures
Stone-pelting and Section 144 in Shivamogga; three-day closure ordered TNM.
High Court verdict
Hijab held not essential; order upheld TNM.
Split verdict
Supreme Court judges disagree; larger bench to decide LiveLaw.
Order withdrawn
New directive allows limited religious symbols with uniforms TNM.
Both accounts
Students' and petitioners' account
The students said they asked only to wear a headscarf with the uniform, a matter of faith protected by the Constitution, and were made to choose between faith and education The Quint TNM.
College and state government account
The college said no student had worn the hijab in class for decades. The BJP government said uniforms ensure equality and its order covered saffron shawls too. In the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta alleged that a Popular Front of India social media campaign drove the agitation and the students "didn't act by themselves" PTI LiveLaw. Claim · State Justice Gupta asked whether any chargesheet had been filed; no court finding on the allegation appears in the sources reviewed.
The Congress government and the 2026 withdrawal
The Congress won the May 2023 Assembly election, having promised to reverse the order TNM. On 22 December 2023 at Nanjangud, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said: "You can wear a hijab. I have instructed (the officials) that there will be no restriction from tomorrow (23 December)." The next day in Mysuru he said: "We haven't done it (revoking Hijab ban) yet," and that the government was only considering it South First Scroll. BJP leader B.Y. Vijayendra said the move would divide "young minds along religious lines" The Leaflet.
In September 2024 the government withheld a best principal award from Ramakrishna B.G., the Kundapura principal who shut his gates on hijab-wearing students, after an SDPI-led campaign TNM PTI via Deccan Herald.
On 13 May 2026, weeks after a CET candidate in Bengaluru alleged he was made to remove his sacred thread, the government revoked the 2022 order. Uniforms stay compulsory, but students may wear "limited traditional and customary symbols" such as the hijab, janivara, turban and rudraksha if they do not affect discipline, safety or identification, and no one may be denied entry or forced to wear or remove them TNM The Federal South First. Opposition leader R. Ashoka accused the government of appeasement and of disregarding the High Court judgment Scroll.
On 1 June 2026, the first day of the academic year, Sri Rama Sena and other Hindu groups handed out saffron shawls outside colleges in Hubballi. The campaign stayed largely peaceful under police watch Siasat Hans India.
Outcome and what is pending
- Government order: issued 5 February 2022; withdrawn and replaced on 13 May 2026.
- Supreme Court: split verdict on 13 October 2022; larger-bench reference still pending as of May 2026.
- Students: all six Udupi petitioners missed their 2022 exams; 145 of 900 Muslim women students took transfer certificates at Mangalore University colleges, per an RTI reply.
- Arrests: Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath members held over threats to the High Court judges.
Questions people ask
What did the Karnataka High Court rule on the hijab?
On 15 March 2022 a three-judge bench held that wearing the hijab is not an essential religious practice in Islam. It ruled that a school uniform is a reasonable restriction and upheld the state's 5 February 2022 order.
What did the Supreme Court decide in the hijab case?
On 13 October 2022 it gave a split verdict. Justice Hemant Gupta dismissed the appeals; Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia quashed the order, calling wearing it "a matter of choice". The case was referred to the Chief Justice for a larger bench, which had not ruled by 2026.
Is the hijab allowed in Karnataka schools now?
Yes, within limits. On 13 May 2026 the government withdrew the 2022 order and allowed the hijab and other religious symbols with the uniform, if they do not affect discipline, safety or identification.
Why were Karnataka schools closed in February 2022?
After stone-pelting and clashes at colleges on 8 February 2022, Chief Minister Bommai shut high schools and colleges statewide from 9 to 11 February.
Did the hijab petitioners take their exams?
No. According to ThePrint, all six Udupi petitioners missed their 2022 exams after refusing to remove the hijab.
Sources
- The Wire: Six students stopped from entering college in Udupi for wearing a hijab, 17 January 2022
- The Quint: Udupi college still denying entry to Muslim girls wearing hijab, 19 January 2022
- TNM: Another Karnataka college bars entry to girls in hijab, 4 February 2022
- Scroll: Karnataka bans clothes that affect public order in a fresh order, 5 February 2022
- The Wire: Hijab-wearing students made to sit in separate room, 7 February 2022
- TNM: Karnataka closes high schools, colleges for 3 days, 8 February 2022
- TNM: Section 144, protests and stone-pelting: 10 developments, 8 February 2022
- TNM: Lone student heckled by saffron-clad students in Mandya, 8 February 2022
- TNM: Minister's remarks on the Mandya incident, 9 February 2022
- TNM: Bengaluru police impose prohibitory orders near schools, 9 February 2022
- Supreme Court Observer: Proceedings at the High Court and the interim order, February 2022
- PTI via Outlook: Karnataka HC hijab ruling today, Section 144 in Bengaluru, 15 March 2022
- Business Today (PTI): Karnataka HC dismisses petitions, 15 March 2022
- TNM: Why the Karnataka High Court held hijab not essential, 15 March 2022
- Deccan Herald: HC says unseen hands at work, 15 March 2022
- TNM: Udupi students pledge to continue legal fight, 15 March 2022
- TNM: Karnataka bandh, shops closed in parts of many districts, 17 March 2022
- Tribune: Y security to High Court judges who gave hijab verdict, 20 March 2022
- TNM: TNTJ member who issued death threat to judges arrested, 22 March 2022
- The Quint: Petitioner urges CM for permission to write exams in hijab, 14 April 2022
- Deccan Herald: 2 students wearing hijab not allowed to take PU exam, 22 April 2022
- ThePrint: Hijab petitioners turned away from exam centre, 22 April 2022
- Deccan Herald: 16% Muslim girls from Mangalore University colleges drop out, 19 August 2022
- LiveLaw: SG Tushar Mehta to Supreme Court, Day 8, 20 September 2022
- Madhyamam: Minister's claim that no student dropped out, 26 September 2022
- LiveLaw: Supreme Court passes split verdict in hijab case, 13 October 2022
- TNM: Split verdict in hijab case, 13 October 2022
- South First (PTI): Supreme Court will set up a three-judge bench, 23 January 2023
- Scroll: Karnataka to withdraw hijab ban order, says CM, 23 December 2023
- South First: Haven't withdrawn order yet, says Siddaramaiah, 23 December 2023
- The Leaflet: Has the Karnataka hijab ban ended in a whimper?, 23 December 2023
- TNM: Karnataka govt withholds award to principal, 5 September 2024
- Deccan Herald (PTI): Government withholds best teacher award, 5 September 2024
- TNM: Karnataka withdraws 2022 hijab ban, 13 May 2026
- The Federal: Hijab ban in classrooms revoked, 13 May 2026
- South First: Congress government revokes BJP-era hijab ban, 13 May 2026
- Scroll: Karnataka revokes BJP-era hijab ban, 14 May 2026
- Siasat: Hijab ban revocation triggers saffron scarf protests in Hubballi, 1 June 2026
- Hans India: Hindu groups launch saffron shawl campaign, June 2026