The Supreme Court on Friday came down heavily on Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, as he mentioned a petition before the Court filed against the Karnataka High Court interim order of Thursday, which restrained students from wearing Hijab or any religious attire to educational institutions for the time-being.
A Bench led by Chief Justice (CJI) N.V. Ramana and also comprising Justice A.S. Bopanna and Justice Hima Kohli said, “The Karnataka High Court is hearing the matter on urgent basis. I don’t want to express anything, don’t make it a national level issue.”
Kamat said, “It’s strange the High Court directed that students should not wear Hijab and other religious attire while passing the interim order. The High Court not only stopped Muslim Girls from wearing Hijab but also stopped Other students to wear religious attire. This has far reaching consequences. This is completely suspension of Article 25.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned the order of the High Court not yet come out. Petitioners should have told this bench.
Kamat said, all the colleges and school have been closed. “don’t spread these things to larger level,” replied the CJI.
“Yes milord, we should not make it communal,” said SG Tushar Mehta.
We know what is happening in the State, do you think we should take it to high level, these issues. I don’t want to express anything, replied the CJI.
On prayer by Kamat to hear the matter on Monday for protection of constitutional rights, the CJI said, “Constitutional rights are for everybody and this court will protect it. We will list at appropriate time including all other similar petitions.”
Hijab