Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Feb 11: An appeal has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the direction of the Karnataka High Court’s interim order to restrain students from wearing hijab or any religious attire till the matter is pending with the high court.
A student submitted a petition seeking a stay on the high court’s direction, as well as the proceedings before the three-judge bench, which is hearing the hijab case.
Dr J Halli Federation of Masjid Madaaris and Wakf Institutions, which filed the appeal, argued that the Karnataka High Court on Thursday attempted to curb fundamental rights of women student, to wear the Hijab while pursuing their education.
“It is hereby submitted that the right to wear a Hijab falls within the ambit of the right of expression guaranteed by Article 19 (1) (a), the right to privacy and also the Freedom of Conscience under Article 25 of the Constitution. The same cannot be infringed upon without a valid “law,” said the plea challenging the High Court order.
On Thursday, the Karnataka High Court’s full bench, which was hearing the Hijab ban petition, adjourned the case until February 14. On Wednesday, a three-judge full bench consisting of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice J M Khazi, and Justice Krishna S Dixit was assembled to hear Muslim girl students’ petitions challenging the ban on hijab. The bench was formed when the single judge, Justice Dixit, submitted the case to the CJ, requesting that it be heard by a larger panel. The entire bench further stated it wants the case to be settled at the earliest but till that time peace and calm has to be maintained.
