Hijab ban: Amid protests, Karnataka HC resumes hearing

Agencies
A woman holds a placard during a protest in support of female Muslim students of Karnataka over 'hijab' issue, in Thane, Sunday, February 13, 2022. Photo: PTI

Bengaluru: All eyes are on the full bench of the Karnataka High Court that is hearing Hijab case.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit, and Justice Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin on Tuesday afternoon resumed hearing of petitions seeking directions to the state government to allow wearing of hijab in classrooms.

This is the third day of hearing by the three-judge bench. The petitioner for girl students seeking an order to attend classes wearing hijab will complete his submission through senior advocate Devdatt Kamat. On Monday, he had argued that the government can’t deny fundamental rights to students in the pretext of managing law and order situations. He also objected to the powers given to the College Development Committee to decide on uniforms.

On Monday, the bench had also refused to restrain media from reporting the proceedings as one of the counsel demanded that it will have an effect on the elections of other states. The court had earlier given an interim order that no religious symbols are allowed for the students in schools and colleges until the final court. The order banned both hijab and saffron shawls in the school and college premises.

The larger bench also set aside the arguments of petitioners seeking orders to the government for allowing students to wear hijab of the color of their uniform to classrooms.

However, petitioners moved the Supreme Court challenging the interim order banning the hijab in classrooms. The state government has resumed classes till standard 10 and Pre-University Colleges are opening from Wednesday.

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