The appeals filed against the Hijab verdict of Karnataka court would be heard by the Supreme Court next week.
The Hijab verdict of Karnataka High Court, which had upheld the right of educational institutions to ban wearing of hijab in college campus would be heard by the court.
The matter was put by advocate Prashant Bhushan before Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana on behalf of the appellants who have challenged the High Court verdict.
Bhushan said that “The girls are losing out studies. This matter was filed long back.”
The CJI said that “It will be listed some time next week Bhushan”
In March the request for urgent listing appeals against high court verdict were declined by the Supreme Court.
On March 15,the Karnataka High Court had upheld Government order by the Karnataka government empowering college development committees of government colleges in the State to ban the wearing of hijab (headscarves) by Muslim girl students in college campus.
A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justices Krishna S Dixit and JM Khazi had held that:
– Hijab is not a part of essential religious practices of Islam;
– Under Article 19 (1) (a) the requirement of uniform is a reasonable restriction on the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
– The government has the power to pass the GO; no case is made out for its invalidation.
The Top Court has at least three appeals including one by All India Muslim Personal Law Board which are pending against the Karnataka High Court verdict.