A high court in India has ruled that the hijab is not “essential” to Islam, paving the way for schools to disallow headscarves from campuses.
The much-awaited verdict comes in the wake of a row over the headscarf in the southern state of Karnataka.
A state college’s decision in January to bar entry to Muslim girls wearing the hijab had sparked protests.
The issue snowballed, forcing the state to shut high schools and colleges for several days.
On Monday, ahead of the verdict, the Karnataka government had restricted large gatherings and shut educational institutions in some areas to prevent protests.
The matter had reached the court after some protesters filed petitions arguing that India’s Constitution guaranteed them the right to wear headscarves.
Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC
