Karnataka, 22nd February 2022: The petitions challenging the ban on hijab in educational institutions of Karnataka were in the High Court on Tuesday. The state government said that the ban on hijab in educational institutions is only in classes while studying. There is no restriction on wearing hijab on the premises of educational institutions.

Responding to the petitions filed by Muslim girl students, the Advocate General told the bench that the right to wear hijab comes under Article 19(A) and not Article 25. If one chooses to wear the hijab, there is no restriction on them under institutional discipline. The rights claimed under Article 19(a) pertain to Article 19(2), where the government imposes reasonable restrictions subject to institutional restrictions.

State Government Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi told the court that we have a law for uniforms in educational institutions. He said that while Rule 11 of the Classification and Registration Rules prohibits special headbands, there is no restriction on wearing hijab on campus. This rule applies only in class and during studies.