Lagatar24 Desk
Bengaluru, Mar 15: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed the petitions filed by female Muslim students challenging the ban on hijab imposed by several colleges in the state.
The high court said in its verdict that the restriction on wearing of uniform is a reasonable restriction that students cannot object to.
A three-judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justices Krishna S Dixit and JM Khazi delivered the decision.
According to the bench, hijab is not a part of essential religious practices of Islam. The bench said:
– Requirement of uniform is a reasonable restriction on the fundamental right to freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a);
– The government has the power to pass the Government Order; no case is made out for its invalidation.
Ahead of the judgement, Section 144 (Prohibitory Orders) CrPC have been imposed in Bengaluru City and many parts of Karnataka from today till March 21 by the police. Educational institutions have also been closed.
The Bench had heard the case for 11 days before the Court reserved its decision on February 25.
The Bench had 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.
