Hyderabad : aim chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has criticised the Allahabad High Court’s recent ruling on wearing hijab in schools, saying judges should not decide what is essential to a religion.
Asaduddin Owaisi was reacting to the court’s August 21 decision rejecting a petition filed by a Muslim student from Prayagraj who wanted permission to wear a headscarf along with her school uniform.
“Attack on Islam”
Strongly opposing the judgment, “It is our religion and we will decide what is essential. Who are the judges to decide? This is an attack on our religion.” Asaduddin Owaisi said,
The AIMIM leader also argued that the matter involves constitutional rights, particularly the freedoms guaranteed under Articles 19 and 25.
He said the Supreme Court is already considering issues related to essential religious practices in another case and questioned why the Allahabad High Court ruled on the religious aspect of hijab.
Enforce uniform rules
The Allahabad High Court, while dismissing the student’s petition, said students cannot claim a right to change a school’s prescribed dress code based on personal preference.
A two-judge bench of Justices JJ Munir and Indrajit Shukla also held that wearing a headscarf is not an essential part of Islamic faith in the context considered by the court.
The court said that when a school’s uniform policy is fair, non-discriminatory and intended to maintain discipline and equality, the institution can enforce its dress code.
“She is wearing hijab on her head, not on her mind”
Owaisi also defended the student’s right to choose whether to wear a headscarf.
“She is wearing hijab on her head, not on her mind,” he said.
He further claimed that such restrictions could affect the education of Muslim girls, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.
“Uniformity is not equality,” Owaisi said while disagreeing with the court’s reasoning.
The ruling and Owaisi’s response have added to the ongoing debate in India over religious freedom, school uniform policies and the constitutional rights of students.
