Complete arguments by this week: Karnataka HC directs counsels on hijab row

Giving clear indications of an early verdict in the hijab row the Karnataka High Court Special bench constituted to look into the petitions submitted by students demanding their right to wear hijab in classrooms on Tuesday directed counsels to complete their arguments by this weekThe Chief Justice CJ Ritu Raj Awasthi asked the Advocate General AG Prabhuling Navadgi who is representing the government to complete his submissions at the earliest The AG submitted to the bench that he would complete his arguments on the day itself TuesdayCJ Awasthi informed all counsels that the bench wants to complete the hearing on the case this weekend and directed them to keep the arguments brief Make positive endeavours to complete within this week only he saidAG Navadgi said that it was entirely on the petitioner to prove that the practice of hijab is obligatory in nature and compulsorily followed in Islam They have placed 144 Suras of Quran this court has asked them in this regard There is no record on the table to show that the custom is obligatory and it is an element of compulsion which compels a member to even be expelled from the communityWearing of dress is a freedom of speech as argued by the petitioners as their fundamental right under Article 19 1 a However Article 19 1 a is subject to public order decency under Article 19 2 In the present case the uniform rule is subject to institutional restriction and it is subjected to institutional discipline not only in schools but also in hospitals military establishments and others AG submitted to the courtThe rule imposes reasonable restrictions on wearing a headscarf The AG also mentioned that uniform is being prescribed till preuniversity as they have an impregnable mindset There is no restriction on campus to wear a hijab Only during class hours in the classrooms hijab is not allowed and anything beyond uniforms irrespective of any religion is not allowed AG Navadgi arguedHe further mentioned about the total ban on hijab by France and Turkey in public spaces At this point Justice Krishna S Dixit intervened and stated that it depends on the constitutional policy of every country AG Navadgi stated that he only wanted to say there is no prohibition as such in our countryAG Navadgi earlier had said that hijab was not an essential practice of Islam and he also brought to the notice of the court how it has been upheld by various High Courts and judgments of the Supreme Court AG Navadgi explained to bench on Monday that wearing hijab was not an essential religious practice in Islam and it cant come under Article 25 Freedom of conscience and free profession practice and propagation of religionSubmitting his arguments while representing the government he said that the petitioner students have approached the court not just seeking permission to wear headscarves But they have claimed that they want to wear hijab and attend classes wearing hijab as part of their religious right He maintained that wearing hijab is not an essential part of their religion and it cant come under Article 25This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever