From hijab restrictions to sacred thread removal, Karnataka’s uniform rules face scrutiny over inconsistency, equality, and constitutional rights
“When rules change with religion, justice stops being blind and starts choosing sides.”
NewFlash Desk: A fresh controversy has surfaced in Karnataka after reports that five Brahmin students were allegedly forced to remove their sacred thread (Janeu/Yagnopaveetha/Janivaara) during the CET examination at Krupanidhi College. The incident has sparked sharp political reactions, with the BJP calling it “anti-Hindu” and targeting the ruling Congress.
If religious symbols are prohibited in the name of uniformity, then the rule must apply equally. If a hijab can be restricted, can a sacred thread be exempted? Conversely, if wearing a sacred thread is defended as a matter of faith, then denying the hijab raises serious concerns about consistency and fairness.
This is where the contradiction becomes impossible to ignore. Political narratives appear to shift depending on which community is affected, turning constitutional principles into tools of convenience rather than pillars of justice.
“Freedom of religion cannot be selective. If it bends for one, it must bend for all, or it risks breaking entirely.”
Constitutional Perspective and Social Reality
Article 25(1) of the Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom to practise and profess their religion. For many Muslim women, the hijab is not merely attire but an essential expression of faith. Similarly, for Hindus, the sacred thread carries deep religious significance.
The Mandya incident involving Muskan Khan in 2022, where religious slogans clashed on a college campus, remains a stark reminder of how quickly such issues escalate when identity overtakes empathy.
Politics Over Principle?
The most troubling aspect is the shift in political positions. What was once defended as a matter of uniformity is now condemned as discrimination. This inconsistency fuels polarisation and mistrust, reducing sensitive cultural issues into tools for political gain.
Neither the ban on hijab nor the removal of the sacred thread stands on firm ethical ground. Both actions reflect an approach that prioritises control over individual dignity and religious expression.
A Way Forward
The solution lies not in choosing sides but in choosing consistency. Educational institutions must either allow limited, non-disruptive religious expressions or enforce uniformity without exception. Anything in between risks turning policy into prejudice.
Karnataka today stands at a crossroads where governance must rise above vote-bank politics and reaffirm its commitment to equal rights, dignity, and constitutional integrity.
