“Any religious attire to be avoided”
In an interim decision issued while hearing a petition challenging a “dress code” by some universities limiting hijabs in class, the Karnataka High Court said that all students must avoid wearing the hijab, saffron shawls, or any religious attire in class “until further orders.” Only colleges with a uniform or dress code are subject to the order.”
We urge the State Government and all other stakeholders to reopen educational institutions as soon as possible and allow students to return to class. We are prohibiting all pupils, regardless of their religion or faith, from wearing saffron shawls (Bhagwa), scarfs, hijab, religious flags, or the like in the classroom until further directives are issued “According to the bench, which is led by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi.
“The continued agitations and shutdown of educational institutions since the previous few days (sic),” the High Court said. The court is aware of the matter, according to the statement, and fundamental constitutional and personal law concerns are being seriously debated.
“It hardly needs to be said that we live in a country with a diverse range of cultures, faiths, and languages. Because it is a secular state, it does not claim any religion as its own. It is correct that every citizen has the right to profess and practise any faith of their choice.
However, because such a right is not absolute, it is subject to reasonable limitations as set forth in the Indian Constitution. “Whether wearing the headscarf in the classroom is a part of important Islamic religious practise in light of constitutional protections requires further investigation,” the judgement stated.
Endless agitations and the indefinite shutdown of educational institutions are not pleasant events. The High Court ruled that extending academic terms would be harmful to students because of the timetable for their admission to higher education.
“Students’ interests would be best served by returning to class rather than continuing to agitate and, as a result, closing institutions. The academic year will soon come to a conclusion. We hope and believe that all parties involved, as well as the general public, will maintain peace and tranquilly “The High Court stated.
A student appealed the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court, which today declined an immediate hearing on it, saying, “We will intervene only at an opportune moment. In her petition, the student claimed that the High Court’s rule prohibiting religious dress for the time being violated her fundamental rights.”
Please don’t take it to any higher heights. We are aware of the situation. Consider whether bringing these items to Delhi is appropriate. What about at the national level? We will defend rights if something goes wrong…” NV Ramana, the Chief Justice, stated.
Updated by Urvi Ramchandani