Bombay High Court Upholds College’s Ban on Hijab, Burka, and Naqab
In a recent ruling, the Bombay High Court declined to intervene in a decision made by a Mumbai-based college to prohibit the wearing of hijab, burka, and naqab within its premises. The court dismissed a petition filed by nine female students challenging the directive issued by the Chembur Trombay Education Society’s NG Acharya and DK Marathe College. The students, enrolled in science degree courses, argued that the ban violated their fundamental rights to religious practice, privacy, and personal choice.
The petitioners contended that wearing the hijab was an essential aspect of their Islamic faith and criticized the college’s dress code as arbitrary and discriminatory. Their plea highlighted the verses from the Quran supporting the religious significance of the hijab. Despite their efforts, the division bench of Justices A S Chandurkar and Rajesh Patil upheld the college’s decision, asserting that it was a matter of maintaining uniformity and discipline rather than targeting any specific community.
The college management, represented by senior counsel Anil Anturkar, defended the ban as applicable to students of all religions and castes, emphasizing the policy’s non-discriminatory nature. The students had initially sought redressal from university authorities, including the Mumbai University and the University Grants Commission, before approaching the High Court when their appeals went unanswered.
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