Karnataka hijab ban: Students move SC for permission to take exam in headscarf

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said a “call will be taken” on the listing of a petition seeking to allow girls to appear in hijab in Karnataka government schools.

A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has said that women wearing hijab will not be allowed to appear in the examination scheduled to begin on March 9, following the Supreme Court’s split verdict on the headscarf ban. “They are veiled. They will not be allowed inside the examination hall if they are wearing hijab. Only on that limited aspect, the court may consider listing on Monday or Friday,” said lawyer Shatan Farazad.

Before a bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha, he said that because of the ban on wearing hijab, some women had gone to private institutes but had to appear in government institutes. If not allowed, one more year will be lost, he said.

“I’ll take the call,” said the chief justice.

Because of the split verdict, the High Court’s decision is still in the field.

A split judgment on October 13 last year stalled a permanent solution to the hijab row as both judges recommended the matter be taken up before a larger bench.

Last month, the court had said it would consider setting up a three-judge bench to hear the case related to ban on wearing of hijab in Karnataka government schools.