Bengaluru, May 14 -- Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa on Thursday, May 14, defended the state government's decision to allow hijabs in schools and colleges, stating that the move was made in the interest of children and education, and urged people not to mix religion with academics.

Responding to criticism over the government's order permitting hijabs in educational institutions, the minister questioned why the debate was focused only on hijabs. "Why do people speak only about hijabs? Don't you see sacred threads too? Why is the discussion always centred on hijabs?" he asked.

Bangarappa accused those opposing the order of ignoring larger issues affecting students, particularly problems related to the NEET examination. He al...