Hijab Issue: HC Judgment Today, Gatherings Banned In Bengaluru, Schools Closed In Dakshina Kannada

Ahead of the judgment, the Bengaluru Police has prohibited all types of agitation or celebrations in public places for one week, from March 15 to March 21.

Protests against Hijab ban | File Photo: Getty Images

New Delhi: The Karnataka High Court will pronounce a judgement on the Hijab issue on Tuesday, reported news agency ANI. The hearing in connection with the case was reserved after 11 days of hearing on February 25. 

Ahead of the judgment, the Bengaluru Police has prohibited all types of agitation or celebrations in public places for one week, from March 15 to March 21.

"All types of gatherings, agitations, protests, or celebrations in public places are prohibited in Bengaluru for one week from March 15 to March 21," said Kamal Pant, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru.

Karnataka High Court to pronounce judgment in Hijab row case tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/NIhB0ib2CE

— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2022

Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada DC has ordered holiday in all schools and colleges on March 15. Internal exams have also been postponed while the external exams will take place as per schedule. 

Ahead of Karnataka High Court verdict on Hijab row, Dakshina Kannada DC orders holiday in all schools & colleges for tomorrow (Mar 15)

External exams will happen as per schedule but internal exams of all schools & colleges will be postponed: Dr Rajendra KV, DC, Dakshina Kannada

— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2022

A three-judge bench including Chief Justice of the High Court, Ritu Raj Awasthi, was hearing various petitions challenging ban on hijab in educational institutions. 

Till the pronouncement of its order, the Karnataka High Court in its interim order had stated that the uniform prescribed by the schools and colleges should be followed. 

The Hijab Controversy 

On January 1, six girl students from a college in Udupi attended a press conference held by Campus Front of India and protested against the college authorities denying them entry into the classroom for wearing hijab.

The conference had come four days after the girl students had sought permission from the college principal to let them attend classes wearing hijabs, which was not allowed. Till then, they used to wear the headscarf to the campus and remove it before entering the classroom, the college principal Rudre Gowda had said.

According to Gowda, the college had no such rule on hijab-wearing since no one used to wear it to the classroom in the last 35 years. The students who came with the request had the backing of outside forces, the principal said.

The issue then spread wide as several other schools and colleges issued the same notices.