The Karnataka Examinations Authority has said that there is no ban on wearing a Hijab to examinations. This comes in the wake of examinations being conducted for boards and corporations’ appointments.

However, the KEA has said that all candidates are instructed to be present two hours in advance to facilitate inspection.

“The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has clarified that there is no prohibition on wearing Hijab while attending the examination for Boards and Corporations which will be held on November 18 and 19. However, all the candidates have been advised to be present in their examination halls two hours in advance to facilitate a thorough inspection,” a statement from the KEA read.

Meanwhile, S Ramya, Executive director, KEA, stated that the candidates will be subjected to strict inspection to ensure free and fair examinations without giving room for any irregularity.

It maybe recollected that Karnataka was reeling under the Hijab controversy last academic year when the BJP-ruled state government called for a ban on Hijab in educational institutes.

When the issue was heard in the high court, it was deemed that Hijab was not an essential religious practice and hence would not necessarily be allowed in educational institutions. 

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