Hijab ban timeline: How the controversy started and how it ended up in the Supreme Court

South First presents a timeline of the ban and its aftermath, and how the matter ended up in the apex court.

December 2021: Students wearing Hijab were not allowed inside class at a government PU college in Udupi. As a meeting between parents and the college principal failed to resolve the issue, six students began a protest on the college campus.

1 January, 2022: Government PU college decided not to allow Hijab-wearing students inside the class.

Students start protesting; the now-banned Campus Front of India (CFI) announced support to the protest.

Soon, students affiliated to the ABVP and other right-wing organisations launched counter-protests in various colleges across the state. They wanted to permission to wear saffron shawl inside class.

31 January: Students approach Karnataka High Court challenging the college management’s order.

5 February: Even as the matter is pending before a single bench of Karnataka High Court, the state’s Education Department issues a circular regarding the dress code.
The circular read: In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 133(2) of the Karnataka Education Act,1983, we direct students of all government schools to wear the uniform fixed by the state. Students of private schools may wear uniforms prescribed by the management committees of the school. In colleges that fall under the Karnataka Board of Pre-University Education, dress code prescribed by the College Development Committee or the administrative committee must be followed. If the administration does not fix a dress code, clothes that do not threaten equality, unity, and public order must be worn.

8 February: Violence erupts at many places during pro- and anti-hijab protests. Section 144 imposed in Shivamogga city.

9 February: Single judge bench of the high court refers Hijab issue to a larger bench.
10 February: A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and comprising Justice Dixit and Justice JM Khazi start hearing on the Hijab issue.

11 February: Karnataka High Court requests state to re-open educational institutions at the earliest and restrains students from wearing any sort of religious clothes in classrooms, regardless of their faith, while the matter is pending.
25 February: Full bench of Karnataka High Court reserves order on hijab issue after hearing matter for 11 days.

15 March: Full bench pronounces verdict. The order reads:

“We are of the considered opinion that wearing of Hijab by Muslim women does not form a part of essential religious practice in Islamic faith.

We are of the considered opinion that the government has power to issue the impugned
Order dated 05.2.2022 and that no case is made out for its invalidation.

We are of the considered opinion that the prescription of school uniform is only reasonable restriction constitutionally permissible which the students cannot object to.

16 March: One student approaches Supreme Court, challenging the Karnataka High Court Order.