A fresh political battle has exploded in Karnataka after the Congress government strongly defended the right to wear religious symbols, including hijab, inside educational institutions, reigniting one of the state’s most controversial debates.

The row intensified after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah backed the use of religious identifiers such as turbans, kada, tilak, holy ash, kalawa and headscarves in schools and colleges, while ruling out saffron shawls.

Clarifying the government’s position, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said the Congress government had not scrapped any dress code but was ensuring equal respect for constitutionally protected religious practices.

“We did not withdraw the dress code. All we have said is that all religious practices will have equal space in society, which is as per the Constitution,” Kharge said.

He further drew a sharp distinction between hijab and saffron shawls, saying, “Saffron shawl is not a religious practice.”

Launching a direct attack on the BJP, Kharge accused the party of trying to drag children into communal politics.

“If BJP wants to put saffron shawls on children and make them Gau-rakshaks and Dharm-rakshaks, let them do it to their children,” he said.

Congress MLA TB Jayachandra accused the BJP of politicising religion and caste issues instead of focusing on public welfare.

The remarks triggered fierce political reactions, with the BJP accusing the Congress government of reviving ‘appeasement politics’ ahead of key elections.

Backing the state government, leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind welcomed the move and said it would improve educational access and strengthen India’s secular fabric.

Congress spokesperson Nasir Hussain also defended the government, insisting that hijab was a constitutional right and not a political issue.

“If any girl, irrespective of her religion, wants to pursue education while wearing a hijab, what is the problem with that?” he asked.

Congress MP Imran Masood added another cultural angle to the debate, claiming that covering the head was part of Indian tradition.

“You called it hijab. If you had called it ghoonghat, it would not have become an issue,” Masood said, while also taking a swipe at the BJP over alleged exam paper leaks.

Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Nyas president Dinesh Falahari slammed the Karnataka government over the hijab decision, alleging it was discriminating against saffron symbols and “moving towards Pakistan and Bangladesh”.

The hijab controversy had earlier sparked nationwide protests, court battles and political polarisation in Karnataka, making its return to the spotlight a potentially explosive issue once again.