Reshma Ravishanker
The Karnataka government in an order has reiterated that all students appearing for SSLC (class 10 state board) exams from March 28 must come only wearing the prescribed uniform.
In an order issued on March 25, the government has, among the several other previous orders and sections of the Karnataka Education Act of 1983 and the Karnataka Educational Institutions Rules 1995 has stated that uniforms must be worn to exam halls in all government-run schools.
The government order also reminds of the decision taken by the Karnataka High Court on March 15 after hearing a case related to the Hijab row and has asked students to follow the same. The order says that the High Court order “validates” previous government orders pertaining prescription of uniform.
The order has it that students from the government schools must follow the uniform prescribed by the School Development Monitoring Committees and in private schools, follow rules laid down by the respective management.
It may be recollected that after a controversy was sparked in Karnataka’s Udupi district over the Hijab row, where six girls had not attended classes since December over not being allowed to sport a hijab, the issue was heard in the Karnataka High Court where several petitions were filed.
The High Court had upheld the government order prescribing uniform and ruled that wearing Hijab was not essential religious practice.
