New Delhi: National Secretary of the Women's Wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Rahamathunnissa has welcomed Supreme Court Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia's verdict in the Hijab case. She appreciated the top court's position reiterating that wearing a hijab is a matter of choice.
The JIH Secretary said that the organisation concurs with Justice Dhulia's remarks that the "Karnataka High Court took the wrong path" and that Article 15 is "a matter of choice, nothing more and nothing else." She also appealed to the judiciary to expedite the matter and said the ban has already deprived many girls of accessing education.
"It is already affecting many girls and depriving them of their fundamental right to attend college and study in the education stream of their choice," she said in a statement. Rahamathunnissa also appealed to the government of Karnataka to withdraw its controversial order in view of Justice Dhulia's observation and put an end to the unwarranted controversy.
She further said it is not the court's job to make decisions about essential religious practices of any religion and educational institutions should maintain neutrality and respect religious practices when deciding on dress code.
"We (JIH) are not against the practice of uniforms in educational institutions. However, publicly funded schools, while deciding the dress code, should maintain neutrality and respect for the religious and cultural practices of the concerned students. And the dress code should accommodate their religious principles, cultural leanings, and the voices of their conscience," said the secretary.
She added that the order of the Karnataka High Court can lead to Muslim women being excluded from education. This goes against the "stated policy of the government of including all communities and social groups in the path of progress and development." The JIH secretary emphasised that education is a crucial national priority and it demands a conducive atmosphere where all could pursue their education without being forced to make any compromise on their faith or conscience.