Allow hijab during Ramzan, Fridays: Fresh appeal in Karnataka High Court

Bengaluru: A fresh petition has been filed in the Karnataka High Court urging it to allow students to attend schools with hijab on Fridays at least.

Senior advocate Vinod Kulakarni, appearing for the students, submitted that the hijab issue created a mass hysteria and mental disturbances throughout the country, and that sending poor Muslim girls out of class was against the preamble of the Constitution.

"At least on Fridays, and ensuing holy month of Ramzan, beginning in March), let the students be allowed to come wearing hijab," he said, quoting a Lata Mangeshkar song, ".. Kuch paake khona hai, kuch khoke paana hai' (to get something you lose, you lose something to get something) and sought court directions in this regard.

"I beg with my folded hands to allow hijab on Fridays and it will avoid unnecessary controversy," he said, adding that the Quran can't be ignored and hijab is not against public order. "Outside authorities have no standing and have no authority to pass orders in religious matters and beliefs," he contended. Advocate General Prabhuling Navadagi, appearing for the State government, opposed the demand, saying that if the request was considered, it would be as good as considering the petitioner's application.

Senior advocates Devdatt Kamat, Ravivarma Kumar and Yusuf Muchchala, appearing for the petitioners, completed their arguments on Wednesday.

The three-judge bench, which heard the matter for the fifth consecutive day, subsequently adjourned the matter to Friday, when Navadagi will present his arguments.

Counsel for petitioner have so far vehemently argued for lifting of interim order prohibiting wearing of hijab and saffron shawls to classes, contending that the government is misusing the interim order issued by the court to target Muslim students. However, the bench headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and comprising Justice Krishna S. Dixit and Justice Khaji Jaibunnesa Mohiyuddin has not acceded to this.

Meanwhile, the six girls from Udupi who started the hijab protest have chosen to remain absent from the college until the final order.