Karnataka Hijab Ban: Award For Principal Who Barred Headscarf Put On Hold Amid Backlash

On Teachers' Day, the principal Ramakrishna was set to receive the award, alongside Ramegowda, principal of Hunsuru PU College in Mysuru district.

Teachers' Day: In Karnataka, the decision to put on hold the "Best Principal Award" from BG Ramakrishna, principal of Kundapura Pre-University (PU) College in Udupi district, has ignited fresh political controversy. Initially selected for the prestigious honor by the state's Education Department, Ramakrishna was set to receive the award on Teacher's Day, alongside Ramegowda, principal of Hunsuru PU College in Mysuru district. However, due to his role in enforcing a hijab ban at his college, the award has been withheld.

The controversy dates back to February 2022, when Ramakrishna barred female students wearing hijabs from attending classes. This decision led to widespread protests across Karnataka and sparked a legal battle over the right to wear the hijab in educational institutions.

Recently, the announcement of Ramakrishna's selection for the award was soon met with immediate backlash, particularly from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). The SDPI argued that honoring a principal associated with the enforcement of the hijab ban would send a negative message to society. The criticism gained traction on social media, with many voicing their disapproval of the Education Department's decision.

On Wednesday, Ramakrishna told Times of India that he was informed by the department that the award had been temporarily withheld, though not officially canceled. 

However, the withdrawal of the award has further intensified political tensions in the state. 

BJP MLA from Mangalore City North constituency Y Bharath Shetty slammed the government stating, “The Congress government in Karnataka has done a very shameful thing by withdrawing the best state level teachers’ award to Ramakrishna B G."

He said that the state government had announced the award after finding him eligible for the award. 

“The main reason behind withdrawing the award is that the Jihadi elements, the organisations like SDPI and PFI, tweeted that this teacher should not be given this award because during the Hijab issue he had stopped the students wearing Hijab from entering the college," he said, as per a report on PTI.