Hijab row: Muslim girl student files petition in Karnataka High Court

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In latest development regarding Karnataka hijab row, a Muslim girl student of the Government run Pre-University (PU) College for Girls in Udupi district has filed a writ petition in Karnataka High Court.

She is seeking a declaration that wearing a hijab (head scarf) is a fundamental right, which is guaranteed under Article 14 and 25 of the Constitution of India and is an integral part of Islam.

According to Live Law, the aggrieved student's PIL is filed through Advocates Shathabish Shivanna, Arnav A Bagalwadi and Abhishek Janardhan.

The petition states that on December 28, 2021, the petitioner and other female students who profess Ismalic faith were denied entry into the college premises and haven't been allowed to enter the classes.

The plea further adds, "The manner in which the respondent college has ousted the petitioner not only creates a stigma amongst her batchmates but among the children of the entire college which in turn will affect the mental health as well as future prospects of the petitioner. The college has curtailed the right to education of the petitioner on the sole ground of religion is smacked with malfides, discriminatory and politically motivated. By doing so the state government has failed in its duty to realise the right to human development by denying the petitioner her education."

It also argues that practice of wearing hijab forms an integral part of Islam.

Also Read: ‘Will continue the fight for my constitutional right,' says Udupi college student

Earlier in the day, the government girl's PU college in Udupi categorically informed that students wearing 'hijab' (Islamic headscarf) will not be allowed inside classrooms. The decision of the authorities was announced by Udupi MLA and college development authority president K Raghupati Bhat, after a meeting with four of the five students who have been protesting against the decision of the college authorities by boycotting classes.

With inputs from PTI