Report Highlights Killings of Muslims in India and Karnataka Lifts Hijab Ban in Schools

Report Highlights Killings of Muslims in India and Karnataka Lifts Hijab Ban in Schools
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A new data‑driven report shows that at least 13 Muslims were killed in religiously motivated incidents in India during the first four months of 2026, with state actors responsible for at least four of the deaths, according to the South Asia Justice Campaign database.

The fatalities include victims killed in police “encounters” following official directives in Uttar Pradesh and by security forces in Jammu & Kashmir, as well as a death in police custody amid allegations of mistreatment. The tracker also recorded over 40 arrests of Muslims for peaceful religious observances such as Ramadan prayers and breaking fasts, reflecting broader concerns about the criminalization of visible expressions of faith.

In a significant policy development in India, the government of Karnataka state has reversed its previous ban on hijabs and other religious symbols in educational institutions. Under revised guidelines issued in May 2026, students in schools and pre‑university colleges are now permitted to wear items such as hijab, turban (peta), sacred threads, and other faith‑based symbols along with their prescribed uniforms. The decision marks a reversal of the contentious 2022 order that restricted religious attire in classrooms, a controversy that sparked protests and legal challenges in the state.