Bangalore: The Karnataka High Court in its verdict over hijab row on March 15 has stated that ‘wearing Hijab not an essential religious practice.’ High Court dismissed writ petitions filed by Muslims girl students, seeking permission to wear Hijab in colleges. Court holds prescription of uniform as a reasonable restriction. On this, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi appeals everyone to accept the order and maintain peace.
He said, “I welcome the HC’s decision. I appeal to everyone that the state & country has to go forward, everyone has to maintain peace by accepting the order of HC. The basic work of students is to study. So leaving all this aside they should study and be united.”
The High Court added that prescription of uniform for students in an institution falls under the category of reasonable restrictions.
High Court’s Judgement:
The state government has banned large gatherings for a week in state capital Bengaluru “to maintain public peace and order”. Mangalore too has banned large gatherings from March 15 to 19. The Udupi district administration has declared a holiday in schools and colleges today.
Ahead of the verdict, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra met Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at his residence to brief him on the security and police department.
CM Basavaraj Bommai on the matter has said that children’s education is most important point. He said, “Our children’s education is more important than anything else. I urge all students and community leaders to accept the HC verdict and cooperate with the state government to implement the uniform rule.”
BC Nagesh, minister for primary and secondary education, on the verdict has said, “I welcome the landmark judgement of Hon’ble Karnataka high court on school/college uniform rules. Law of the land is the ultimate.”
Prescription of uniform is a reasonable restriction on fundamental rights under Article 25, the court said. Late last month, the Karnataka government had contended before the Court that wearing the hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam and its prevention does not violate the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.
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