Indian court upholds school hijab ban in India's south

An Indian court Tuesday upheld a ban on the wearing of hijabs in schools—in Karnataka— weeks after the edict stoked violent protests and renewed fears of discrimination against the country's Muslim minority. 

As per details, the southern Indian state of Karnataka was on edge for several weeks after a small group of girls were prevented from wearing the hijab on school grounds. 

However, demonstrations snowballed across the state and police used tear gas to disperse angry crowds as more schools imposed their own bans and radical Hindu groups staged boisterous counter-protests.   

After weeks of deliberations, Karnataka's high court ruled that wearing the hijab was not an essential Islamic religious practice.

"Prescription of uniform is a reasonable restriction on fundamental rights," the court said.

Following this, many in Karnataka say that Muslim girls have worn the hijab in schools for decades, just as Hindus, Sikhs and Christians have done with symbols of their respective faiths.  

Critics accuse authorities in Karnataka of seeking to drive a wedge between religious communities that have coexisted peacefully for generations. 

Moreover, students—who had challenged the ban in court— said wearing the hijab was a fundamental right guaranteed under India's constitution and an essential practice of Islam. 

Ahead of the verdict, Karnataka authorities announced closures of schools and colleges and imposed restrictions on public gatherings in some parts of the state to prevent potential trouble. 

Meanwhile, state home minister Araga Jnanendra said that extra officers had been deployed to police stations on Monday night to ensure law and order was maintained ahead of the ruling. 

The controversial ban had led to protests in some other parts of the country too and drew criticism from the United States (US) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). 

Last month, Federal Home Minister Amit Shah said he preferred students sticking to school uniforms instead of any religious attire. 

The state high court initially ordered a temporary ban on the wearing of all religious symbols— including Hindu and Christian ones—in schools. 

So far, there is no central law or rule on school uniforms across the country, however, Karnataka ruling could prompt more states to issue such guidelines.  

India has experienced several deadly Hindu-Muslim riots since independence in 1947, but hardly any of them in the south. 

In the meantime, several Muslim politicians, including the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir State, called the verdict "deeply disappointing".