The Karnataka High Court has pronounced its judgment in the hijab row that had previously caused massive controversy in the state.
The verdict has dismissed the petition filed by Muslim girls seeking permission to wear hijab in classrooms. The court considered the opinion that wearing of hijab by Muslim women does not form a part of essential religious practice in the Islamic faith. The verdict also mentions that students cannot object to the uniform prescribed by the educational institutions and the prescription of uniforms in an institution falls under the category of reasonable restrictions.
We spoke to students from Karnataka after the verdict to understand their points of view.
Chinmaya a first-year PUC student from Bengaluru told Hindustan Times that as long as the hijab does not cover the uniform it should be allowed. “If Sikhs are allowed to wear a turban, they wear a turban but still wear the uniform. So as long as it doesn't cover the uniform, if hijab is worn just as a headscarf, and not till the knees covering the uniform, I'm not sure if it should be banned," says Chinmaya.
Safeena another engineering student from North Bengaluru says that wearing a hijab does not hurt anyone,“how can a piece of cloth that covers your head be problematic to anyone?"
Another engineering student from Kengeri who did not want to be named believes that this verdict could hurt a number of school-going Muslim girls in India. “This judgment would lead to Muslim students not going to school. Hijab is like a turban for Sikhs, so most of them (parents) will stop sending their girls to schools," he added.
{{/usCountry}}Another engineering student from Kengeri who did not want to be named believes that this verdict could hurt a number of school-going Muslim girls in India. “This judgment would lead to Muslim students not going to school. Hijab is like a turban for Sikhs, so most of them (parents) will stop sending their girls to schools," he added.
{{/usCountry}}This is a serious concern too as many students will end up dropping out if Hijab is not permitted. “ The courts cannot decide whether the hijab is essential to a religion or not should not be decided by courts,” mentioned Kruthi a BA student from Bengaluru, “It's about women's right to choose what she can wear and what she can't."
On the other hand, there were other views about the matter who supported the verdict.
Harini Sridhar, a 2nd Year B.Voc IT student believes that the verdict is fair and students should follow the proper dress code in school/college premises. "The objective of uniforms is to maintain curriculum in the educational premises, if you are a student then irrespective of religion/caste you're a student, and the dress code and rules regarding uniforms must be followed."
Nitin Sandeep who is another 1st year PUC student has a similar opinion says, “I feel they should not make one rule for Muslim students and one rule for Hindu students it's uniform. Religion does not come in between uniforms so everyone should wear the only uniform."
They are not alone in thinking so. Ambuja R S who is a BSc(Hons) 2nd-year student also agrees that it is a good verdict and now everyone in school will have to follow the same rules irrespective of their religion. Jithamithra, a final year BBA student from Bengaluru, also agrees with the verdict saying, “Following the rules of the college is a must.”