Govt to HC: Hijab not essential religious practice

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Friday contended before the High Court that the hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam and preventing its use does not violate Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom.

Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi told the court that the practice of wearing hijab should also pass the test of constitutional morality as interpreted in Supreme Court judgments, including the Sabrimala case.

He rejected the charge of the girls, who challenged the state government’s order on February 5 which restricted students from wearing hijab or saffron scarves. “If somebody wishes to exercise the right to freedom of religion,it has to be seen if this exercise affects public order, health and morality,” Navadgi contended.

Students continue protest
Students continued to protest against the High Court’s interim order banning religious dress by staging dharnas. Many students even boycotted the preparatory examinations and practical classes. A few students of PU colleges in Athani and Nandaghad in Belagavi arrived wearing saffron shawls and were stopped.