New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah said that he prefers uniform at schools, but will accept whatever the court’s order will be amid the hijab row. He states that he favors uniform over any other religious attire, but that his position might change once a court decides on the merits of a ban on the hijab in schools in the state of Karnataka.
The ban imposed by the government led to protests by Muslim students and parents, and counter-protests by Hindu students, forcing authorities to close schools there earlier this month.
Home Minister Amit Shah told the Network 18 Group in an interview aired on Monday night that he would accept any court verdict on the matter.
“It is my personal belief that people of all religions should accept the school’s dress code,” he said.
He further added, “Ultimately, it has to be decided whether the country will function on the Constitution or whims. My personal belief only remains until the court makes a decision. And once the court makes a decision, then I should accept it, and everyone should accept it.”
Karnataka’s move has also led to protests in some other parts of the country and drawn criticism from the United States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The hijab controversy began in December last year when a group of students were denied entry to classrooms for wearing the hijabs, a headscarve worn by Muslim women. The isolated incident which came to light from Udupi city later spread to other colleges and snowballed into a major statewide issue.
The court, which has been hearing the matter from the past few days, will take up the case again on Tuesday.
In its interim order passed a few days ago, the court had restrained the students from donning any religious attire till the verdict on the case is out.
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