Following the Karnataka High Court verdict which upheld the hijab ban in the educational institutions across the state, Muslim organizations in Karnataka on Wednesday announced a state bandh on Thursday, 17 March to protest against the order.
Karnataka Ameer-e-Shariat, Maulana Sagheer Ahmed Rashadi said, “We request all Muslims and like-minded people to participate in the bandh on the protest of the verdict which we believe against the soul of Indian Constitution.”
“We request people, particularly youth not indulge in any anti-social activity and do not force anyone to close the shops,” the Ameer-e-Shariat appealed while expecting voluntary participation of the people in the protest.
On Tuesday, the high court had held that Hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam and upheld the ban on wearing headscarves in schools and colleges.
A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justices Krishna S Dixit and JM Khazi said, “Hijab is not a part of essential religious practices of Islam and thus, is not protected under Article 25 of the Constitution.”
Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to hear the petitions challenging the Karnataka High Court Judgment on hijab, saying it will look into it after Holi vacations, not urgently.
Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde had mentioned the matter on Wednesday, stating that there is urgency since the exams are upcoming and several girls are affected by the verdict.
The Apex court Bench said, however said, “Others also mentioned, let us see. Give us time. We will see, we will post matter. Let us see we will list after vacations.”
