In a controversial move, the Karnataka Government has decided to withhold the State-Level Best Principal Award for Ramakrishna BG, the principal of Government Pre-university College in Kundapur Taluk in Udupi district. This decision comes after significant pressure from pro-hijab activists, sparking outrage and a heated debate across the state.
Ramakrishna BG, whose name became entangled in the hijab controversy two years ago, has once again found himself at the centre of a storm. The principal gained attention when he was photographed stopping Muslim students from entering the college campus while wearing hijabs. The incident, which occurred during the BJP’s tenure, ignited widespread protests, leading to the hijab ban in educational institutions across Karnataka.
With the State-Level Best Teacher Award announcement, objections from pro-hijab supporters quickly surfaced. These activists raised concerns about awarding an individual who had played a prominent role in the hijab row, accusing him of communal bias. The opposition soon spread to social media, with many users calling for the withdrawal of the award, labelling Ramakrishna as a divisive figure.
Despite the state government initially standing by its decision, the mounting pressure from activists and prominent Muslim leaders led to a reversal. It has been reported that several influential figures approached the Chief Minister’s office, expressing their dissatisfaction with Ramakrishna’s selection. Caving to these demands, the government decided to withhold the award, marking a significant shift in Karnataka’s ongoing discourse surrounding religious and cultural freedoms.
The decision to revoke the award has sparked a wave of condemnation from various quarters, particularly among supporters of the principal. Many have criticised the government for bowing to what they describe as “political appeasement,” accusing the administration of undermining educational achievements to placate communal tensions.
One commentator noted, “This is not just about an award. It’s about the government sending a message that merit and service can be overshadowed by political and communal agendas. If the principal was chosen based on his achievements, then why should a controversy from two years ago dictate his recognition?”
Others have highlighted the decision’s broader implications, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent where pressure groups can influence state decisions, particularly on sensitive religious issues. “By retracting the award, the government is signalling that it is willing to bend to the will of a vocal minority,rather than standing firm on principles of merit and justice,” said a prominent social analyst.
The hijab controversy itself remains a deeply divisive issue in Karnataka. Initially erupting in the coastal districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, it quickly spread across the state, becoming a flashpoint for debates on religious freedom, secularism, and education. At the heart of the dispute was whether students should be allowed to wear religious attire in government-run educational institutions. While supporters of the hijab argued for their right to express their religious identity, opponents claimed it violated the uniform policy and disrupted communal harmony in schools.
Ramakrishna BG, who was caught in the middle of this conflict, maintained that his decision to stop students at the gate was in line with government regulations and aimed at maintaining the uniformity of the school’s uniform policy. However, his actions were perceived by many as discriminatory, particularly within the Muslim community, leading to widespread protests and a legal battle that eventually culminated in a state-wide hijab ban under the BJP-led government.
Karnataka state high court, in its verdict, stated that the “prescription of a dress code is intended to achieve uniformity amongst students in the school/college to maintain discipline and avoid disclosure of one’s religion.”
The Karnataka HC held that “the dress code, when prescribed for all students, was intended to treat them as one homogeneous class to serve constitutional secularism”.
On June 26, the Bombay High Court rejected a petition filed by nine students from Mumbai Chembur’s N G Acharya and D K Marathe College, upholding the institution’s decision to prohibit hijabs as part of its dress code. The court ruled that the ban was justified to maintain a focused academic environment.
The court’s decision was influenced by a 2022 judgment from the Karnataka High Court, which upheld the state government’s ban on hijabs in government colleges. The Chembur College had introduced a new dress code in May, which sparked controversy after several junior college girls wearing hijabs were denied entry last August for allegedly violating the uniform policy.
The revised dress code prohibited religious attire, including burqas, niqabs, and hijabs, as well as any religious symbols or accessories. The code specified a uniform for boys and allowed girls to wear modest Indian or Western clothing.
Nine female students challenged the college’s decision, arguing that it was unfair and discriminatory. They claimed that the college had overstepped its authority by imposing such restrictions and that wearing the niqab and hijab was an essential part of their religious practice, as mandated by the Quran and Hadith.
