Karnataka Hijab Row Verdict: Hijab Not Essential Practice, Says HC

The Karnataka Hijab Row finally concluded with the verdict of the Karnataka High Court (HC.)

On the 15th of March, Tuesday, the Karnataka HC bench, comprising of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, dismissed all the petitions, filed against the restriction of hijab-wearing at educational institutes.

On Tuesday, the HC bench said, Hijab is not an essential religious practice. The court said, “We are of the considered opinion that wearing of hijab by Muslim women does not form a part of essential religious practice in the Islamic faith." The court further said, "The prescription of school uniform is a reasonable restriction which students cannot object to. The government has the power to issue an order.”

Notably, six Muslim students of pre-university in Udupi filed a writ petition, after they were denied entry to class while wearing a hijab. The matter soon intensified with protest and support from opposition political parties and social activists. The matter was pending with the Karnataka High Court since the 5th of February.