The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday in its verdict in the Hijab row case ruled that Hijab was not religious practice and that colleges prescribing uniform was not in violation of fundamental rights.  

Responses, both welcoming and expressing disappointment over the verdict were voiced within hours of the judgement being pronounced. Here are some such reactions:

“The Karnataka has upheld the GO to follow the uniform. They have also ruled that Hijab is not essential religious practice. This is a matter which involves the future and education of students. Nothing is more important than education. We must accept the order delivered by the full bench of the court. I request cooperation from everyone to implement this order. I also seek support from various religious heads, students and teachers to maintain peace and calm.” – Basavaraj Bommai, Karnataka Chief Minister.

“We welcome the HC decision. It is only right that the focus be brought back to education now as children have suffered enough learning loss because of the pandemic. The fact that the HC has clarified that the interests of an individual cannot be above the rights of an institution. We certainly welcome this. In the days to come, no teachers, parents or students should involve themselves in untoward activities that disturbs peace. We should rather focus on education” – D Shashi Kumar, general secretary, Associated Managements of Private Schools in Karnataka.

“The HC judgement is an important step in the direction of mainstreaming & strengthening education opportunities of girl children.” – Tejasvi Surya, MP, Bengaluru South, and national president of the BJP Yuva Morcha.

“Very welcome decision by Hon’ble Karnataka High Court in the #Hijab case. Schools are meant to impart education, teach equality & discipline, and remove any societal divides that may exist otherwise. School Uniform = equality among students.” – Nupur Sharma, national spokesperson, BJP.

“I disagree with the Karnataka High Court’s judgement on #hijab. It’s my right to disagree with the judgement and I hope that petitioners appeal before SC. It’s time to review the essential religious practice test. For a devout person, everything is essential & for an atheist nothing is essential. For a devout Hindu Brahmin, janeu is essential but for a non-Brahmin it may not be. It is absurd that judges can decide essentiality.” – Asaduddin Owaisi, president, AIMIM.

“Karnataka HC’s decision to uphold the Hijab ban is deeply disappointing. On one hand we talk about empowering women, yet we are denying them the right to a simple choice. It isn’t just about religion but the freedom to choose.” – Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief minister, Jammu & Kashmir.

“Very disappointed by the verdict of the Karnataka High Court. Regardless of what you may think about the hijab it’s not about an item of clothing, it’s about the right of a woman to choose how she wants to dress. That the court didn’t uphold this basic right is a travesty.” – Omar Abdullah, former chief minister, Jammu & Kashmir.

“The question we as a society need to answer is – Do we want to prevent girls from attending school or college because they wear a garment in addition to their uniform? If a Hindu girl can wear a bindi or dupatta, and attend, why should a Muslim girl be denied education because she wears the Hijab. Muslim girl education is a high national priority and this judgement, in my view, represents a regress of our society and a mockery of the beti padhao ambition. The High Court has responded to the question ‘is hijab essential to Islam’ and avoided the more important questions dealing with the violation of the right to education, the right to liberty, the right to religions freedom. Hope the Supreme Court will address the violations of these fundamental rights.” – Gurumurthy, Teacher Educator and member of the National Coalition on the Education Emergency.

Also read: Famous hijab-wearing personalities around the world