Hijab row: K'taka govt tells HC there's no ban, but headscarf not compulsory

The Karnataka government on Tuesday said there is no discrimination based on religion as far as the ban on hijab is concerned. It said there was no restriction on wearing hijab, but only within classrooms and during class hours and that wearing it is not compulsory.

The government made the submission in the Karnataka high court that is hearing a batch of petitions challenging the ban on hijab in educational institutes in the state.

As part of his submissions on behalf of the government, advocate general Prabhuling Navadgi said there is no restriction on wearing hijab on campus, it is only in the classroom and during class hours that the bar has been imposed. "We have a law in the form of Karnataka Educational Institutions. (Classification and Registration) Rules, Rule 11. This rule imposes upon them a reasonable restriction of wearing a particular headgear."

A full bench of the high court has been hearing on a day-to-day basis a batch of petitions filed by some Muslim girls challenging the ban on wearing the headscarf on educational institutions.

The court disposed of a writ petition filed by the Karnataka State Minorities Educational Institutions Management Federation recording the AG's statement that the State is not interfering with minority institutions. It further said it will take up petitions seeking clarifications of the interim order on Wednesday.

Protests, some of which have turned violent, have erupted in several parts of the state over the issue since December end, leading to closure of schools and colleges, besides imposing of prohibitory orders.

Meanwhile, the government has said it would probe if the killing of a Bajrang Dal activist in Shivamogga had any link to the ongoing controversy.