New Delhi: The Karnataka government cited anti-hijab protests by women in Iran to argue in the Supreme Court that wearing the headscarf is not an essential religious practice in Islam. Karnataka argued that the ban on the wearing of hijab in the state’s pre-university colleges was not unconstitutional and did not violate anyone’s right to free speech. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta spoke regarding the protests once morest the hijab in West Asian countries and their acceptance in India.
A 22-year-old woman who was detained by the morality police for not wearing the hijab properly has sparked massive protests in Iran. Karnataka is citing these protests before the court hearing petitions related to the hijab ban in Karnataka. The Supreme Court is hearing a batch of petitions challenging the March verdict of the Karnataka High Court, which held that the state government’s February order banning the wearing of the hijab was flawed. A bench comprising Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhamshu Dhulia is hearing the petition.
The restriction imposed by a college in the state’s Udupi district sparked protests by students who were forced to wear headscarves and attend classes. The situation worsened when the college said that women students wearing hijab would not be allowed to appear for internal exams. Many petitions have reached the High Court seeking cancellation of the government order. But the High Court of Karnataka banned the hijab stating that hijab is not a compulsory dress.
