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Walkouts, objections, after Karnataka HC verdict on Hijab, but BJP netas hail it

Students of a Govt PU college in Karnataka walked out in protest, boycotting classes and exams as soon as the Karnataka high court pronounced its verdict

Karnataka HC Verdit
Image Courtesy:financialexpress.com

Students of a Government Pre Uinviersity college in Yadgiri, Karnataka waked out in protest, boycotting classes and exams as soon as the Karnataka high court pronounced its verdict and proclaimed that “hijab is not an essential part of Islam”.  The hijab-clad women students were seen on a video walking out of their class in protest.

The Karnataka High Court has ruled that wearing of hijab is not essential to the practice of the Islamic faith, saying, “We are of the considered opinion that wearing of hijab by Muslim women does not form a part of essential religious practice in Islamic faith.” It further said, “We are of the considered opinion that the prescription of a school uniform is only a reasonable restriction Constitutionally permissible which the students cannot object to.”

This decision virtually backs the ban on hijabs and deals a blow to the pro-hijab groups. A nuanced approach to the wider issue of access to education for Muslim girls – their bodily agency, privacy and autonomy – especially for girls hailing from conservative families, was rejected, and the entire debate became communally polarised.

The hijab controversy had originally erupted in wake of a Government Order issued on February 5 against the wearing of religion specific clothing in schools and pre-university colleges where a uniform has been prescribed. What followed was harassment of hijab-wearing girls on school and college campuses across the state.

Even before the hearing had begun Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant had issued orders prohibiting gatherings of all kinds in public places. The order shall remain in place till March 21, stated news reports. Section 144 has also been imposed in other areas including Bengaluru, Mangaluru , Udupi, Hassan, Chikkaballapura, Kolar, Dharwad, and Davanagere.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai called it a “question of the student’s education and future,” and asked that peace and harmony be maintained. Bommai said, “Students should follow the high court order and should not boycott classes or examinations. We will have to abide by the court orders and will take strict action against those who would take law and order in hands.”

Lawyer Anas Tanwir shared on twitter that students may soon appeal to the Supreme Court challenging the HC order. 

Indeed, the six girls who were petitioners in the case, held a press conference soon afterwards and according to a translation posted by journalist Imran Khan, said, “We didn’t get justice by the high court judgement. We thought HC will uphold constitutional values. We won’t go to college without hijab. If Ambedkar was alive he would be crying.”

The ruling has also been criticised by community leaders and senior politicians who have called it deeply disappointing.

 

However, politicians from the state, mostly those from the BJP, are hailing the HC order:

 

National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Sharma has also welcomed the decision that is being read as one upholding the Hijab ban, saying that students must follow the dress code prescribed inside an educational institution by the administration.

Related:

BREAKING: Wearing of Hijab not essential religious practice: Karnataka HC
Karnataka: Two Private Pre-University colleges allow students to wear Hijab
Hijab ban: News media loses interest but student protests continue
Hijab Ban: Identity politics or body policing?

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