CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, March 15: After the Karnataka High Court dismissed the petitions filed by female Muslim students that challenged the ban on hijab imposed by several colleges in the state, several students from Ranchi have also expressed their views on this decision.
Sana Parvez, an undergraduate student from Doranda College, Ranchi spoke to Lagatar24.com and expressed her view. “By banning burqa and hijabs in colleges, they have implemented a restriction on Muslim women’s right to religion. Even France did the same but it made the country neither peaceful nor secular,” she said.
The high court had said in its verdict that the restriction on wearing of uniform is a reasonable restriction that students cannot object to. According to the bench consisting of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justices Krishna S Dixit, and JM Khazi, hijab is not a part of essential religious practices of Islam.
Another student from Doranda College said that the decision is unfair on Muslim girls and it puts their education at stake. “It’s unfair on Muslim girls. Their education is at stake. Why haven’t the High Court mentioned the turban while upholding uniforms in schools?” she questioned.
Arijit Sen, a student from Gossner College, said that it is a right decision made by the Karnataka High Court as there should be uniformity in schools and colleges. “The purpose of having uniforms in schools and colleges is to bring uniformity among students. It represents equality among students. I believe it is the right decision that has been passed by the Karnataka High Court,” he said.
The Bench heard the case for 11 days before the decision was reserved by the Court on February 25. The Bench also issued an interim order on the first day of the hearing, prohibiting students from wearing hijab, saffron shawls (bhagwa), or using religious flags while attending courses in colleges with a defined uniform.
