In Karnataka, the issue of hijab can heat up once again. Education Minister BC Nagesh said that girl students wearing hijab will not be allowed to appear for the second Pre-University Course (PUC) examination beginning March 9. He said, “Like last year, this year also students should appear in the examination wearing school uniform. Girl students wearing Hijab will not be allowed to appear in the examination. Rules have to be followed. Educational institutions and the government are working as per the prescribed rules.
The education minister also said that there has been an improvement in the number of Muslim students appearing for exams after the hijab ban. However, he has not given any exact numbers to prove his claims. The minister said, “After the ban on hijab, more Muslim sisters appeared for the examination. Now more Muslim girl students are enrolled. Our statistics show that the number of Muslim sisters appearing for the exam and their enrollment ratio have increased after the Hijab episode.
The Supreme Court on Friday declined urgent listing of petitions seeking direction to government institutions in Karnataka to allow girl students to appear for examinations wearing hijab. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said, “A bench will be constituted after Holi for this.”
Seeking urgent hearing on the plea, the lawyer had said that another year would be wasted for Muslim girls. From March 9, examinations are also starting in those government schools where wearing hijab is not allowed. Let us tell you that the Supreme Court closes on March 6 for the Holi holiday and will reopen on March 13.
Earlier on March 15, 2022, a bench of Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit and Justice JM Khaji had given its verdict. The 129-page judgment said that hijab is not an essential religious practice. Following this, the hijab was banned in pre-university colleges in Karnataka.
Eight Muslim students were prevented from entering the classroom wearing hijabs. He had approached the court against this.
On January 1, 2022, the College Development Council (CDC) passed an order banning the hijab inside college/school campuses. In protest, the students sat on a dharna outside the college building. The college administration says that wearing hijab was never allowed inside the classroom. Some students reached the college wearing saffron shawls to protest against the hijab. After this the dispute deepened further.
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