The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday upheld the ban on wearing hijab in educational institutions in the state, saying wearing hijab is not an essential practice of Islam.
“No case is made out for invalidating the government order of February 5,” a Full Bench led by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi said.The Bench — which also included Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice Jaibunnisa M Khazi — rejected the petitions filed by some Muslim girls challenging ban on wearing hijab in educational institutions in Karnataka.Upholding the government’s power to issue ‘Government Order’ (GO) on the issue, the high court said prescribing school uniforms was a reasonable restriction on the fundamental right to freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and students couldn’t object to it.The Bench had reserved the verdict on February 25 after 11 days of marathon live streamed hearing.The Bench had heard at length several senior advocates for the petitioners and Karnataka Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi, besides some advocates representing teachers and College Development Committees having local MLAs as their members.Set up on February 9, the Chief Justice Awasthi-led Bench heard on a day-to-day basis for 11 days petitions filed by some girl students challenging the ban on wearing hijab in educational institutions where a particular uniform has been prescribed.
