Karnataka Restricts Head Coverings in Recruitment Exams While Permitting Mangalasutra

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has imposed stringent guidelines for recruitment exams, ostensibly aimed at preventing malpractices involving Bluetooth devices. While not explicitly banning the hijab, the dress code indirectly implies restrictions on head coverings in exam halls.

Recently, on November 6, a woman faced controversy when asked to remove her ‘mangalsutra’ before entering an exam hall, leading to protests by Hindutva groups. In response, the KEA has now permitted women to wear mangalsutras and toe rings, while other jewelry remains restricted.

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The upcoming recruitment exams for various boards and corporations in the state, scheduled for November 18 and 19, are subject to these regulations. The decision comes after the Karnataka government’s earlier allowance of hijabs during competitive exams in October, which triggered protests from right-wing groups.

However, concerns about exam malpractices, particularly involving Bluetooth devices, prompted the state government to enforce stricter measures. A probe by the state CID has been initiated into allegations of candidates using Bluetooth devices during exams in Kalaburagi and Yadgir examination centers in October 2023.

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The dress code for exams includes restrictions on girls wearing high-heeled shoes, jeans, and T-shirts. In contrast, men are permitted to wear half-sleeve shirts that need not be tucked into their trousers.

This development follows the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision upholding the Karnataka government’s ban on hijabs in classrooms, extending the order to other board exams, including Class X and XII, as well as the Common Entrance Test conducted by the KEA. The ongoing measures reflect the delicate balance between religious freedoms, exam integrity, and security concerns in educational settings.