Bengaluru: Hijab is not an important religious practice, said the Karnataka High Court when supporting a ban on the hijab in the classroom on Tuesday, weeks after hard protests in many parts of the country against restrictions.
The order has been challenged at the Supreme Court by Niba Naaz, a student who is not among the five who initially submitted a petition to the headscarf ban.
“We are from the opinion considered that wearing a headscarf by Muslim women does not form a part of an important religious practice in Islamic faith,” said the Karnataka High Court, refused to foster the government’s prohibition and reject student petitions.
In the order of February 5, the Karnataka Government has banned clothing “which disrupts equality, integrity and public order” in schools and colleges.
Upholding the command, the High Court said the school uniform was a reasonable restriction that could not be fulfilled by students.
The school has reasonable reasons for imposing clothing code that prohibits headscarves from preventing divisions in religion and other reasons, judgment said. “The purpose of this regulation is to create ‘safe space’ … and the ideals of egalitarianism must be easily seen for all students,” he said.
“The constitution allows us the right to strengthen our religion. We are shaken, we hope so much. We will not go to college without a headscarf,” the girls told reporters, vowed to fight the verdict.
Students have told the court that wearing a headscarf is a fundamental right guaranteed based on Indian constitutions and important practices.
Anticipating tensions, the government has banned large meetings in cities such as Bengaluru, Mangaluru and Shivamogga for a week. The school and college are closed today at Udupi, where protests begin in December.
The previous Karnataka High Court while prohibiting religious clothing, including a hijab and turmeric scarf, last month as a snowball controversy became a protest and face-off between various parts of the student.
Large hijab controversy erupted when students at the school in Udupi accused that for the first time in years, they were banned from entering the hijab class. When restrictions spread to more campuses, escalation to see students wearing Safron launched a rival protest.
The country’s powerful BJP has denied accusations targeting Muslim students and trying to ride slices between the community. Party leaders said there were no religious symbols that must be permitted in the study site.
“I welcome the court decision. I begged everyone that the state and state must advance, everyone must maintain peace by receiving a high court order. The basic work of students is to learn all this they must. Learn and unite,” said Minister of Union Pralhad Joshi in Delhi.