The Single bench of Karnataka high court headed by justice Krishna Dixit referred the petition filed by five women regarding wearing hijab in educational institutions for a larger bench considering the constitutional & personal law questions it raises.
“Interim relief also to be decided by the larger bench,”: Justice Krishna Dixit.
Following protests over students wearing hijab to schools & colleges turning violent, Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai ordered to shut down all schools & colleges for the next three days. He asked to maintain peace and harmony.
Five students from a college in Udipi filed a petition in the Karnataka High court against banning students with hijab into educational institutions.
Things went out of control when protesting people shouted slogans such as ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ ‘Allahu Akbar,’ and pelt stones at each other. Media captured during protests on social media even showed a man climbing a flag post in an institution to unveil the national flag and replace it with a saffron one.
Congress & other opposition parties supported the women, saying it is their right to choose what they want to wear. Former Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticized the government & intelligence department for their negligence.
The single bench of the Karnataka high court led by Justice Krishna Dixit considered the petition on Wednesday. The bar requested the public to maintain law & order.
After hearing both sides, the bench referred the petition to the chief justice for a larger court to take up the petition, citing the constitutional questions the petition raises.
“Having regard to the enormity of questions of importance which are debated, the court is of the considered opinion that the papers be put at the hand of CJ to decide if a larger bench can be constituted in the subject matter”- Justice Dixit notes in the order.
The bench ordered that the higher bar of the Karnataka High court will also decide if any interim relief to be provided.
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