Karnataka, First Published Mar 17, 2022, 8:32 AM IST
Bangalore: Muslim organizations in Karnataka today went on a bandh against an order banning the hijab ban on educational institutions in the state. Police have been informed that the rallies will not be allowed. Security has been beefed up along the coast. The ban continues in Bangalore as well.
The bandh is until 7 pm. The shops were closed in protest against the hijab order. Police have stepped up checks along the coast in view of possible clashes. Gatherings near educational institutions are prohibited.
The High Court on Tuesday ruled that the hijab could be banned in educational institutions in Karnataka. The Karnataka High Court has ruled that the hijab is not mandatory in religious ceremonies. The High Court ruled that the hijab was not an integral part of Islam.
The petition was filed by a group of students in Karnataka alleging that the hijab is a part of fundamental rights. Various organizations were also involved in the case. The government maintains that the hijab is not part of religious norms or fundamental rights. The government had pointed out that there was currently no evidence to prove that the hijab was part of the religion. The government has argued that Article 25 of the Constitution does not apply to the hijab. The case was heard for eleven days.
The Karnataka High Court today delivered its verdict in the hijab case after more than four months of protests and clashes. Protests at the Government College in Udupi led to nationwide protests. About 250 students have so far boycotted the exam for not allowing the hijab. The government is adamant that religious attire will not be allowed in educational institutions for any reason. With the Karnataka High Court order, the government can continue to stand firm.
The controversy started when six hijab students were stopped at Udupi PU College. The protest was intensified when the college authorities took a stand that the students were allowed only after removing the hijab and burqa for a long time. More and more organizations came forward to support the students. Later, in Mangalore and Mandya, hijab-wearing people were barred from government colleges. The protest escalated when another group of students arrived at the colleges wearing saffron shawls. The protest spread to the streets.
The government formed a special committee of education experts to protest. But the committee recommended that the hijab should not be allowed. Subsequently, on February 5, the government issued an order banning religious clothing in educational institutions. Six students from Udupi approached the High Court questioning this. Various organizations also joined the party in the case.
Read More : This is the history of the hijab case that engulfed the country in protest
The plaintiffs claim that the hijab is also part of the fundamental rights of the religion. The students also pointed out that the ban on hijab is a violation of Articles 14, 19 and 25 of the Constitution. However, the government has stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the hijab is part of the religion and that Article 25 of the Constitution does not apply to the hijab. The court had ruled that it could not act as an intermediary in the case and was considering constitutional issues.
Last Updated Mar 17, 2022, 8:32 AM IST