Student activists say Karnataka High Court order on hijab ‘disappointing'
New Delhi (PTI): Student activists on Wednesday said the Karnataka High Court judgement on hijab was ''disappointing'' and asserted that uniforms should be inclusive of social and religious practices.
In its 129-page order, the high court has held that hijab is not an essential religious practice and upheld the Karnataka government's order banning the use of any cloth on the campus that could disturb peace, harmony and public order.
At a press conference here, several Muslim women students and activists spoke about the court's order and put forth a series of demands.
Huma Masih, a student activist, said the hijab issue should have started a healthy debate on uniforms whether they are inclusive.
"The hijab issue should have stirred a healthy discussion on the culture of uniforms. It should have started a discussion on whether uniforms are inclusive and democratic, but no one is talking about it," she said.
Simra Ansari of Jamia Millia Islamia alleged that there are some people who do not want Muslim women to get education and are forcing them to choose between studies and their identity.
"Whenever Muslim women have come forward to talk about their rights, there are some people from a specific ideology who have had issues. This (the hijab ban) is a systematic way to stop Muslim women from getting educated by forcing them to choose between their studies and identity.
Through this stage, I want to say that we will attain our right to get educated and also keep our identity. We will not choose," she said.
Khalida Parveen, a social activist, said they were ''disappointed'' and ''angry'' over the court's decision.
"There is no guarantee that Muslim women, when they will go to a bank or some public place wearing a hijab, they will not be subjected to moral policing. If any untoward incident happens with them, who will be responsible? The central government talks about ''Beti Bachao' but the state government goes against it," she said.
The speakers said uniforms should be inclusive of religious and social practices in a diverse country like India.
They demanded that cases registered against those who participated in protests against the hijab ban be withdrawn.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
SC dismisses plea seeking implementation of NEP in Tamil Nadu, other states
New Delhi, May 11 (PTI): The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea seeking a direction to the Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the West Bengal governments to implement the National Education Policy, including its three-language formula.
A bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan said the top court could not issue such directions to state governments.
"The Supreme Court, through Article 32 of the Constitution, can issue directives to ensure that the fundamental rights of citizens are protected. It cannot directly compel a state to adopt a policy like the National Education Policy, 2020," the bench said in an order passed on Friday.
"The court may, however, intervene if a state's action or inaction related to the National Education Policy violates any fundamental rights or any other legal rights. We do not propose to examine this issue in this writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution," it added.
The petitioner has nothing to do with the cause he proposes to espouse, the top court further said.
"Although he may be from the state of Tamil Nadu, yet, on his own admission, he is now residing in New Delhi. The main issue may be examined by this court in an appropriate proceeding but at least not in this particular petition," the bench said.
The apex court was hearing a plea filed by advocate GS Mani seeking directions to implement the National Education Policy, 2020.
