Hijab: K'taka HC dismisses pleas; case goes to SC

One-liner: The Karnataka HC on Tuesday dismissed petitions filed by a section of Muslim students from a girls' college in Udupi, seeking permission to wear a Hijab inside the classroom.

Not part of religion: It said the headscarf is not a part of the essential religious practice in the Islamic faith.

HC verdict challenged: A plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday challenging the Karnataka HC verdict which dismissed the petitions seeking permission to wear Hijab inside the classroom.

• The petition by a Muslim student said the HC had failed to note that Karnataka Education Act, 1983, and the rules made thereunder do not provide for any mandatory uniform to be worn by students

School uniform permissible: The prescription of school uniform is only a reasonable restriction, constitutionally permissible which the students can't object to, a bench noted.

Minister welcomes order: Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh welcomed the order and described it as a landmark.

Considered opinion: The considered opinion is wearing of Hijab by Muslim women does not form a part of essential religious practice in the Islamic faith, Chief Justice Awasthi said.

Erupted into row: The demand to wear Hijab inside their classrooms erupted into a row after some Hindu students turned up in saffron shawls.

What the petition said: The petition said neither the Act nor the Rules prescribe any uniform for students or prohibit the wearing of a Hijab.

A practice of faith: Challenging the Feb 5 order of the govt, the petitioners had argued that wearing the Islamic headscarf was an innocent practice of faith and not a mere display of religious jingoism.

Source: PTI