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They demanded that cases registered against those who participated in protests against the hijab ban be withdrawn.
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Saif Ali Khan’s attacker allegedly let in by house help, Police investigate
Mumbai: Mumbai Police suspect that the attacker who stabbed actor Saif Ali Khan six times during an alleged burglary attempt was let into his Bandra residence by one of his house helps. The house help is currently under scrutiny as police investigate the incident. The 54-year-old actor, who sustained injuries, including one near his spine, has undergone surgery at Lilavati Hospital and is reportedly out of danger.
The attack occurred late at night, and preliminary investigations suggest the assailant may have entered the premises hours earlier and waited for an opportunity to strike. CCTV footage from the residence did not capture any recent entry, strengthening the suspicion that the attacker was assisted by someone inside.
Police reported that the incident began as a scuffle during the burglary attempt. “An unidentified person intruded into the residence of Actor Saif Ali Khan. The actor and the intruder had a scuffle. The actor is injured and is being treated. Investigation is ongoing,” officials said.
The attack has raised questions about security in Mumbai’s high-profile areas. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised the state government, highlighting similar incidents such as the murder of Baba Siddique and the firing outside Salman Khan’s residence. “If celebrities in Bandra are not safe, who in Mumbai is? This is a serious failure of law and order,” she said.
Actor Pooja Bhatt also expressed concerns, urging authorities to address the issue urgently. “Can this lawlessness please be curbed? Bandra has never felt so unsafe before,” she tweeted, tagging Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior officials.
Police are now focused on identifying the attacker, who fled the scene, and examining the possible role of the house help in the incident.
