Amid hijab row in Karnataka, Kerala govt took a similar decision. Here's all you need to know

An order issued by the home department said that combining religious matters with uniforms in the present situation would raise the same demands from similar forces and thus hinder the discipline and secular nature of the organization.

The entire issue emerged after a high school student hailing from northern Kerala approached the High Court contending that the existing uniform of the student police cadets, a volunteer organization run by the police department among the school students, is not in accordance with the beliefs and practices of the Muslim community. The student, in her petition, argued that wearing a hijab and full sleeve dress is her fundamental right, she should not be refrained from wearing a hijab in a manner that does not infringe the discipline of the SPC or the rights of others.

However, the state police countered by stating that the aim of the project is to ensure that its members evolve into future leaders with empathy to society and resistance to social evils. The SPC members are thus provided with uniforms that are similar to state police and since the police personnel are banned from using any religious symbols as part of their uniform, the same will be applied to SPC members as well. It added that no religious code is allowed in similar programs such as the NCC or Scouts.