On Tuesday, an Indian court in the southern state of Karnataka, governed by prime minister Narinder Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), upheld a ban on the hijab.
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In a judgement in the case, Karnataka high court’s chief justice Ritu Raj Awasthi said:
Students who challenged the hijab ban in court said: Hijab-wearing is an essential practice in Islam and a fundamental right ensured under the constitutional law of India.
Shatabish Shivanna, who was with the petitioners, said:
The chief minister, Basavaraj Bommai, said they would take strict action against those who disturb the state's peace.
Police have increased security, and everyone should accept the court’s verdict. If anyone disturbs law and order, they will be dealt with strictly, he warned.
India has witnessed repeated Hindu-Muslim violence over the 75 years of its independence. Indian society is already divided along political and religious lines, and Tuesday’s court order could lead to more uncertainties among the population.
Critics of the Hindu Nationalist Prime Minister, Narinder Modi, say it has already exacerbated concerns since the election of 2014.
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party has been accused of being involved in an anti-Muslim campaign and supporting violence against minorities in India. However, Narendra Modi and his party rejected those accusations.
"We think wearing the hijab of Muslim women is not a part of essential religious practice. He further said that the government has the power to prescribe uniform guidelines"
Students who challenged the hijab ban in court said: Hijab-wearing is an essential practice in Islam and a fundamental right ensured under the constitutional law of India.
Many Muslims in Karnataka said Muslim girls have been wearing hijab for decades, just as other religions wear their outfits as a religious symbol. They said the Karnataka court's decision was a violation of basic rights.
They also pointed out the increasing religious extremism in the country. Almas, a student in India said she would not go to school without a hijab. She was the one who protested in court against the government's ban on hijab in a Karnataka court.
The dispute began in January when a government college in the Udupi district of Karnataka did not permit hijab-wearing students to enter classrooms. It triggers protests by Muslims in India. Many Muslim politicians called the Karnataka court’s decision disappointing.
The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, wrote in a tweet:
They also pointed out the increasing religious extremism in the country. Almas, a student in India said she would not go to school without a hijab. She was the one who protested in court against the government's ban on hijab in a Karnataka court.
The dispute began in January when a government college in the Udupi district of Karnataka did not permit hijab-wearing students to enter classrooms. It triggers protests by Muslims in India. Many Muslim politicians called the Karnataka court’s decision disappointing.
The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, wrote in a tweet:
"We talk about women’s empowerment, and we deny them the basic, fundamental right of their choice."
She said it isn’t just about religion, but the liberty to choose. The ban also led to many protests in other parts of the country and criticism from the OIC and the United States.
Counsels will Approach the Apex Court
The counsel appearing for the students said they would go to the supreme court against the hijab ban.Shatabish Shivanna, who was with the petitioners, said:
"We will receive a copy of the order, and we will decide whether we can approach the supreme court on the hijab ban case. The court has given the verdict after hearing arguments for 11 days, but the copy of the order is yet to be received."
The chief minister, Basavaraj Bommai, said they would take strict action against those who disturb the state's peace.
Police have increased security, and everyone should accept the court’s verdict. If anyone disturbs law and order, they will be dealt with strictly, he warned.
A Ban on the Hijab Sparked Protests
The ban on the hijab sparked protests in BJP ruled Karnataka. Many Muslim students and parents joined the protest, and other Hindu students also started counter-protests. Critics of the ban say it is another way of demeaning the Muslim population, which is about 13% of the Hindu majority.India has witnessed repeated Hindu-Muslim violence over the 75 years of its independence. Indian society is already divided along political and religious lines, and Tuesday’s court order could lead to more uncertainties among the population.
Critics of the Hindu Nationalist Prime Minister, Narinder Modi, say it has already exacerbated concerns since the election of 2014.
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party has been accused of being involved in an anti-Muslim campaign and supporting violence against minorities in India. However, Narendra Modi and his party rejected those accusations.