Hijab row in HC: Why not hijabs when ghoongat and turban permitted, say petitioners
India Today
Petitioners challenging the hijab ban in educational institutions made their submissions in the Karnataka High Court. They asked why hijab was being singled out when ghoongats and turbans are permitted.
Petitioners challenging the hijab ban in educational institutions made their submissions in the Karnataka High Court saying that hijab was being singled out and Muslim students are being asked to choose between faith and education.
Senior Advocate Ravi Varma Kumar appearing for petitioners said, "Many Indians display religion through attire. I am only showing the vast diversity of religious symbols in all sections of society. Why is the government picking on hijab alone and making this hostile discrimination?"
"This is only because only of her religion that the petitioner is being sent out of the classroom. A bindi wearing girl is not sent out. A bangle wearing girl is not. A Christian wearing a cross is not touched. Why only these girls? This is a violation of Article 15 of the constitution," Advocate Kumar said.
Ghoongats are permitted, bangles are permitted. Why only hijab? Why not the turban of a sikh, cross of the Christians? he added.
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Yusuf Muchhala appearing for the petitioner said that Muslim students are being put to 'Hobstons' choice'. They are being asked to choose between faith and education. This violates fundamental rights, he said.
The three-judge bench comprising of Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi will continue hearing the hijab case. Until the matter is with court, students are allowed to attend classes without wearing any religious garments.
The petitioners also said that Government Order (GO) on hijab suffers from 'manifest arbitrariness,' as parents and teachers were not consulted before the decision was taken.
