Hijab not an essential religious practice of Islam: Karnataka govt to HC
Bengaluru, Feb 18: The Karnataka government on Friday contended before the High Court that the hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam and preventing its use did not violate Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom.
"We have taken a stand that wearing hijab is not an essential religious part of Islam," Advocate General of Karnataka Prabhuling Navadgi told the full bench of the High Court comprising Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice J M Khazi and Justice Krishna M Dixit.
The AG also rejected the charge of some Muslim girls, who challenged the Karnataka government's order on February 5 that barred students from wearing hijab or saffron scarves saying that it violated Article 25 of the Constitution.
Article 25 gives freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion to the citizens of India.
The government order also does not violate Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, Navadgi argued. Article 19(1)(a) guarantees to all its citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression.
The Advocate General also contended that the February 5 order of the state government was in accordance with the law and there was nothing to object in it.
The High Court, in its interim order pending consideration of all petitions related to the hijab row, last week restrained all the students from wearing saffron shawls, scarves, hijab and any religious flag within the classroom of PU colleges where the CDC has prescribed a uniform.
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Air pollution in North India a 'national emergency', MPs must discuss ways to end crisis: Rahul
New Delhi (PTI): Asserting that air pollution in North India is a "national emergency", Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday urged fellow MPs to come together in the upcoming Parliament session and discuss how the nation can end this crisis once and for all.
He said the air pollution crisis needs a collective national response, not political blame games.
Gandhi shared a video on X in which he is discussing the air pollution issue with environmentalist Vimlendu Jha at the India Gate here.
In his post along with the video, the Congress leader said air pollution in North India is a national emergency -- a public health crisis that is stealing our children’s future and suffocating the elderly, and an environmental and economic disaster that is ruining countless lives.
"The poorest among us suffer the most, unable to escape the toxic air that surrounds them. Families are gasping for clean air, children are falling sick and millions of lives are being cut short. Tourism is declining and our global reputation is crumbling," the former Congress chief said.
"The cloud of pollution covers hundreds of kilometres. Cleaning it up will need major changes and decisive action -- from governments, companies, experts and citizens. We need a collective national response, not political blame games," he added.
As Parliament meets in a few days, the MPs will all be reminded of the crisis by our irritated eyes and sore throats, he said.
"It is our responsibility to come together and discuss how India can end this crisis once and for all," Gandhi said.
In the video, the Congress leader asks the reasons for the air pollution crisis from Jha who responds by saying that it is a pan India problem and in NCR there are two sources -- episodic sources and perennial sources.
Jha highlights that stubble burning is an issue but only for three weeks and there is a need to provide the farmers with incentives.
The environmentalist, in conversation with Gandhi, calls for bringing about lifestyle changes to deal with the air pollution crisis.
The Winter Session of Parliament begins on November 25 and will continue till December 20.
