The state high court intervened when some students sought a declaration from the court that wearing hijab inside classrooms was part of the fundamental rights under the freedom of religion. The court Tuesday ruled that hijab is not a part of essential religious practice in Islam. The government’s order on uniforms in educational institution was within reasonable restrictions to the students’ fundamental rights, the court said.
Wearing the hijab has been a source of controversy for decades in some western countries. In India, where Muslims make up about 14% of the country’s nearly 1.4 billion people, the head covering is neither banned nor is its use restricted in public places. The Karnataka high court’s verdict can be challenged in India’s top court. Still, a high court verdict holds across India as a precedent till the Supreme Court gives its ruling.
...And the national post readers are delighted.