Following a split verdict by the Supreme Court, Karnataka’s primary and secondary education minister BC Nagesh stated on Thursday that the Karnataka High Court order upholding the state government’s ban on wearing hijab on school and college campuses will continue to be enforceable.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court issued a split verdict on the Karnataka High Court’s decision to uphold the ban on the hijab at educational institutions which was challenged in a number of pleas.

While Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia permitted the appeals against the High Court’s decision, Justice Hemant Gupta dismissed them.

The minister stated that the matter has now been forwarded to a higher bench, adding that the Karnataka government will await the decision of a higher bench.

“The Karnataka High Court order will remain valid. Hence, in all our schools and colleges Karnataka education act and rule, there will be no scope for any religious symbols. So our schools and colleges will run as per the Karnataka High Court order. Children have to come to the schools accordingly,” Nagesh said.

“The ban on hijab will continue. As you know that the Karnataka Education Act and rule does not permit any religious items inside the class, So we are very clear that no student can wear a hijab inside the class,” the minister added.

During the protest over the Hijab row, many Muslim girls had refused to follow the prescribed dress code. They had skipped their classes, and boycotted the exams, stating that religion is more important to them. Subsequently, a writ petition was filed in the Karnataka High Court against the state government’s order which was rejected by the High Court.