In a significant ruling, the Karnataka High Court upheld the state's decision to ban the hijab in classrooms, declaring that wearing the headscarf is not an "essential" practice of Islam. This ruling, which has sparked widespread debate, follows a series of protests after a college in Udupi barred Muslim girls from wearing the hijab in January 2022. The protests, which led to school closures, prompted petitions from Muslim women arguing that the ban violated their constitutional rights to religious freedom.
The court, in its 129-page order, argued that the hijab is not a compulsory religious requirement, citing the Quran and Islamic texts to support the view that wearing it is more of a recommendation than an obligation. The court also stated that the government has the authority to set dress codes in educational institutions.
The ruling has been met with strong reactions, with many Muslim women vowing to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. Some petitioners expressed feelings of betrayal, while others maintained that they would continue to fight for their right to wear the hijab. The controversy over the hijab ban has also intensified tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities, with some Hindu students wearing saffron shawls in response.
The ruling has received mixed reactions, with the Karnataka government supporting the verdict, while critics view it as part of a broader effort to marginalize Muslims under Prime Minister Modi's right-wing government.