The Karnataka High Court has declared that wearing the hijab is not a mandatory practice in the Islamic faith. Additionally, it has been stated that prescribing school uniforms is legal and does not infringe the Constitution’s right to free expression or right to privacy.
A three-judge Bench of the Karnataka High Court presided over by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, delivered its judgment on petitions concerning the controversy surrounding the wearing of hijab in educational institutions.
Karnataka HC dismissed petitions challenging Hijab Ban
The court determined that a Karnataka government directive dated February 5, 2022, dictating uniform policy was not illegal. There is no basis to proceed against the administration of the Govt PU college for girls in Udupi or the officers of its College Development Authority, as required by the High Court judgment.
On February 25, the Bench, which also included Justice Krishna S. Dixit and Justice J.M. Khazi, reserved its judgment following the conclusion of hearings on petitions brought by nine Muslim women students enrolled in two government pre-university colleges in the Udupi district.
The petitioner-students sought a court declaration that wearing the hijab (headscarf) within classrooms in educational institutions was a basic right to religious freedom.
The petitioners’ primary argument was that the hijab was a fundamental Islamic practice for women and that neither the government nor educational institutions could prevent them from wearing it while attending lessons.
Mangaluru’s security measures
Mangaluru city police conducted a route march on March 15 as part of efforts to maintain peace and order following the announcement of the final judgment in the hijab controversy.
Circuit House served as the starting point for the route march. The march covered approximately four kilometers and included stops at KSRTC, PVS junction, Hampankatta, and other sensitive places throughout the city.