Srinagar, 15-Mar: After a marathon hearing for 11 days between February 10 and February 25, Karnataka High Court on Tuesday pronounced the verdict that the wearing of hijab is not an essential religious practice of the Islamic Faith.In erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state, former chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti termed the verdict ‘’Disappointing’’.“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,” Omar Abdullah, who is vice president of the National Conference, said in a tweet. “That the court didn’t uphold this basic right is a travesty,” Omar added.Besides holding Hijab to be not essential part of Islam, the Karnataka high court, among others also ruled that prescribing uniform was not a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) and 25 of the India Constitution.“Karnataka HC’s decision to uphold the Hijab ban is deeply disappointing,” Mehbooba Mufti, PDP president, said in a tweet. “On one hand we talk about empowering women yet we are denying them the right to a simple choice. Its isn’t just about religion but the freedom to choose,” she added.The High Court dismissed the writ petition filed by Muslim girl students seeking permission to wear hijab in college. Court held prescription of uniform as a reasonable restriction, according to Live Law.(CNS)
