New plea in Karnataka HC seeks permission to wear hijab on Fridays, Ramzan

Bengaluru: A new plea has been filed before the Karnataka High Court seeking permission to wear hijab on Fridays and the during the holy months of Ramzan inside educational institutions. The High Court bench, handling many pleas regarding the hijab ban, said it would consider the latest plea, NDTV reported.

Appearing for Muslim girls, petitioner Dr Vinod Kulkarni in his plea, prayed for an order permitting the same.

The state High Court'searlier interim rule has banned any religious attire inside educational institutions until a final judgement into the issue has been made. While educational institutions stood on banning the cloth, many Muslim girls boycotted classes or were forced to stay home.

The debate on the issue has raised the hampering of Muslim girls fundamental rights of freedom of religion as well as freedom of education.

When Chief Justice (CJ) Ritu Raj Awasthi said that the new request is contradictory to the court's interim rule banning religious attires, but whatever prescribed uniform is, Kulkarni argued that the hijab is part of the uniform and added that prohibiting it is similar to banning Quran. But CJ said that argument was far-fetched.

As there is a debate going on whether the hijab is mandated by Quran, CJ asked Kulkarni where in the holy book mandates hijab. Kulkarni replied, "I am a devout Brahmin myself... my submission is it may amount to the banning of the Quran. My submission is that please pass an order today to allow the wearing of hijab on Friday and ensuing Ramzan." The hearing will continue the next day.