Karnataka govt likely to conduct re-exams for students who missed tests due to hijab protests

The Karnataka government will consider re-exams for students who had missed the exams due to the pro-hijab and anti-hijab protests in the state last month. However, the provision will be extended only to those students who had skipped the main exams that were held prior to the Karnataka High Court's interim order on February 11.

While the court, in its interim order, barred students from wearing any "religious clothing" to classrooms till the final order, many students had insisted on wearing the hijab inside the classrooms and subsequently boycotted classes and even exams. Many students continued to skip classes and exams in protest against the the High Court's final verdict on March 15, which upheld the government order banning hijab in educational institutions.

Law Minister J.C. Madhuswamy, while responding to a request made by Udupi MLA Raghupathy Bhat to allow the girl students to appear for exams, during the zero hour in the assembly on Thursday

Bhat, who urged the government to conduct re-exams for the girl students who were keen to appear for the exam, complying with the court order, also sought action against students who were spoiling the academic atmosphere in educational institutions by protesting against the High Court order.

Leader of the opposition Siddaramaiah insisted that the students were well within their rights to protest peacefully, and the fact that they have appealed before the Supreme Court was a sign that they disapprove of the High Court verdict.

BJP MLA Jagadish Shettar demanded to know if protesting against the HC verdict amounted to contempt of court.