Hubballi: Members of the Hindutva organisation Sri Rama Sene distributed saffron shawls to students at several colleges in Hubballi and nearby areas in Karnataka on Monday. The action followed the state government’s decision to revise earlier restrictions and allow students to wear hijabs and other faith based symbols in educational institutions.
The distribution took place in multiple campuses, including Kanakadasa College. Activists said the move responded to the government order permitting hijabs and other religious identifiers in schools and colleges, subject to discipline, safety and identification rules.
Sri Rama Sene workers handed saffron shawls to both male and female students outside college premises. The group stated it was asserting parity in religious expression within educational spaces.
The development comes after the Karnataka government withdrew a 2022 order issued by the previous administration during the hijab controversy. The revised policy allows items such as turbans, janeu, rudraksha, shivadhara and hijab, while maintaining restrictions linked to institutional discipline. Officials clarified earlier that saffron shawls do not fall under permitted attire.
Sri Rama Sene founder Pramod Muthalik had earlier announced plans for such demonstrations if hijab permissions were restored in educational settings. The group has maintained opposition to the inclusion of hijab in institutional dress guidelines.
State leaders have responded to the protests, stating that the issue requires further discussion. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the government would review concerns linked to the use of saffron shawls in colleges.
The issue has also drawn commentary from legal experts and activists. Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde noted that students may wear symbols but questioned consistency in removing them later. Activist Apoorvanand stated the practice does not reflect traditional Hindu customs.
The controversy continues to reflect ongoing disputes over religious symbols, campus dress codes and policy decisions in Karnataka’s educational institutions.
