Hijab Row: Tamil Nadu college students protest against Karnataka court's ruling

Karnataka Hijab Row: Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi read out the verdict that said: "We are of the considered opinion that wearing of a hijab by Muslim women does not form part of the essential religious practice in the Islamic faith."

College students in Tamil Nadu's Chennai have protested the Karnataka High Court verdict on the wearing of hijabs in schools and colleges of the state. The court had dismissed petitions challenging the state's ban on hijabs in a contentious February 5 circular on the subject of uniforms and dress codes. The court ruled that the hijab 'is not an essential part of Islam'.

College students protesting in TN (ANI)

Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed dozens of students from the city's The New College sitting peacefully in protest, holding up placards and signs to drive their point home. One placard read 'fight against cultural genocide' and 'we support hijab'.

Earlier today Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi read out the verdict that said: "We are of the considered opinion that wearing of a hijab by Muslim women does not form part of the essential religious practice in the Islamic faith."

The three-member bench also said that students could not object to the 'prescription of a school uniform - which is a reasonable restriction'.

Standing against the court's ruling, students from the Udupi college where the protests first began will approach the Supreme Court against the verdict, Anas Tanwir, a top court advocate tweeted. "Moving to SC soon, InshaAllah. These girls will continue their education while exercising their rights to wear Hijab. These girls have not lost hope..."

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai urged everyone to follow the High Court's order. "Everyone should follow the court order for the benefit of children. It is a question of the fate and education of our children. Necessary arrangements have been made to maintain law and order," he was quoted by ANI.