National Commission For Women Welcomes Hijab Ban Verdict Of High Court

Verdict on Hijab row: The chief of the National Commission for Women (NCW) accepted Karnataka High Court Verdict on hijab row saying that students should not be divided on the basis of religion.

After a great debate regarding the wearing hijab in various institutions, Karnataka High Court gave its verdict on hijab row banning it at educational institutions. Earlier, many protests showed up at various places in Karnataka asking for the right to wear hijab when several schools and colleges of Karnataka districts disbarred Muslim girl students from attending classes for wearing hijab on the premises.

The court refused to lift the hijab ban dismissing various petitions made by students. Last month, the court had temporarily banned any religious clothing including hijab and saffron scarves to make sure the protests do not go violent.

On February 5, the Karnataka government issued ban over clothes "which disturb equality, integrity and public order". The government's order was accepted by the court.

The student petitioners argued in the court that wearing hijab is a fundamental right, though, it was not accepted by the court. The court's verdict on Hijab row says, "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."

National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma welcomed court's verdict saying, "I welcome this decision of the Karnataka High Court because as the Court said, it is firstly not a religious practice according to the Quran. Secondly, when a student enters of class, an institute, they must follow the rules and regulations of the institute."

Sharma is also hopeful that the court's verdict on hijab row will expectedly put a stop to the controversy. She stressed on the fact that even though women are free to wear what they want, they must abide by the uniform code if there is one. "No one should be divided into any class, caste or religion. Uniform is there so that one cannot show who belongs from which religion and everybody is equal, "she further added.

The High Court's order was not welcomed by many including the Muslim students who called the hijab ban unconstitutional. Many social media users expressed opinions against the court's verdict.