The Bombay High Court has refused to lift the ban on hijab in Mumbai’s college campus. The High Court rejected the petition of NG Acharya of Chembur Trombay Education Society and nine girl students of DK Marathe College. In fact, in one of its decisions, the college had banned the wearing of niqab, burqa and hijab in the college campus.
Nine Muslim girl students had approached the High Court earlier this month, challenging the college’s decision. Hearing the petition of the girl students, the court said that we are not inclined to interfere in the said decision. Therefore, the writ petition is dismissed. The High Court has made it clear in its decision that following the rules in educational institutions is of paramount importance.
Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi has reacted to the High Court’s decision. He said that Muslim girl students should be allowed to wear hijab in class. If the High Court has rejected it, then we feel that considering the permission we have received from the Supreme Court to follow our religion, we should get permission from the Supreme Court.
Nine girl students had filed a petition in the High Court against the hijab ban in Acharya College located in Chembur, Mumbai and demanded the removal of the ban on hijab. The girls had also accused the college administration of showing bias on the basis of religion. Under the dress code implemented by the college, girls were banned from wearing hijab on campus. The girls claim that the new dress code violates their fundamental rights to privacy, dignity and religious freedom.
