A debate over the hijab, or head-scarf worn by Muslim women has caused a squabble in Karnataka. As justice Krishna S Dixit has reiterated and requested the advocates, “let us keep aside passion and emotions, and go by the laws, reasons and the Constitution.”
How did it start?
It started when 6 female students of the Government PU College in Udupi were not allowed to attend classes because they were wearing hijab. On December 31st 2021, students protested for the same.
Moreover, Raghupathi Bhat, Udupi BJP MLA, after having a meeting with parents and several other stakeholders, told students to show compliance with an updated set of rules and follow the dress-code. The students then filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court.
The other institutions in the area started to get involved when in Kundapur, a group of boys at the government Pre-University College, entered inside the college wearing saffron shawls in protest against some girls attending lectures in hijab.
The MLA of Kundapur also asked the students to comply with the dress-code.
The row of incidents took a new turn when in Chikkamagaluru, the students of IDSG Government First Grade College arrived wearing blue shawls and chanted jai bheem slogans in order to support the concerns of Muslim girls.
Government’s stance
The Education Minister of Karnataka Nagesh BC has backed the college authorities which prohibit the students with headscarves or saffron scarves to enter into the college premises. Furthermore, according to him, all of this is happening because the state election is due next year.
Recent developments
Two petitions were filed on behalf of Muslim women protesters. One talks about choosing what to wear as a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 15 and 25 of the Indian Constitution, and the other questions the legality of the hijab ban ordered by the state government.
Following the two petitions filed on behalf of Muslim women protesters, the state government on Tuesday ordered the closure of all colleges and high schools for the next three days. Furthermore, the state high-court on 9th of February, requested the chief justice to set up a larger bench to deliberate the issue, as Justice Krishna S. Dixit noted, that matter gives rise to certain constitutional questions.