New Delhi: The controversy surrounding wearing of hijab (Headscarf for Muslim women) in schools and colleges of Karnataka seems to be growing by each passing day. The Karnataka High Court is already hearing the matter, while a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court.
Amid all the debate, one thing that is noteworthy is the changes introduced in the dress code of students by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghatan (KVS) in the year 2012. An autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, KVS passed order allowing Muslim girls to wear headscarves in their schools.
According to the new order, Muslim girls could wear grey scarves, matching with the colour of their skirt or trouser designed by National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
The meeting of the Board of Governors (BoG) of KVS was held in Delhi that also decided upon new turban for Sikh boys. The colour of the turban had to be grey and match their trousers.
Salwars were phased out and grey trousers were introduced for girls from class IX to XII. They were also to wear a blue, grey, white and red checkered Kurti along with a waist coat.
Devadatt Kamat, - petitioner's counsel in the hijab row case - during his argument in the Karnataka High Court had cited Kendriya Vidyalayas 2012 notification that introduced new dress codes for students of its schools and allowed Muslim women to wear hijab (Headscarf) matching the grey colour of their trouser or skirt.
Based on the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghatan order, Kamat urged in the court to also allow Muslim women in Karnataka to wear hijab matching their uniform.