Karnataka HC Upholds Hijab Ban: ‘Not Essential Religious Practice’

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday upheld the hijab ban in educational institutions, saying “hijab is not an essential religious practice”.

The order came as a huge setback to students who had challenged the ban on wearing hijab in classrooms. Five petitions had challenged the ban in court.

The prescription of school uniform is a reasonable restriction which students could not object to, the HC said.

The ruling was passed by a three-judge bench comprising Karnataka HC Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice JM Khazi.

Ahead of the order, the state government banned large gatherings for a week in Bengaluru. Mangalore too banned large gatherings from March 15 to 19.

The petitioners had told the court that wearing the hijab was a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution and essential practice of Islam.