Karnataka hijab verdict: Indian court upholds college ban on Muslim headscarf
An Indian High Court has ruled that the traditional hijab is not a critical part of Muslim religious practice, after a petition was filed to challenge a government ban on wearing the headscarves in educational institutions. Six Muslim students had petitioned the Karnataka High Court to declare the hijab as part of their essential religious practices after a row erupted in the southern state over the use of religious symbols in schools and colleges. The court dismissed three petitions and upheld the government ban. “ Wearing of hijab is not essential religious practice of Islamic faith,” said Chief Justice Rituraj Awasthi. The court had earlier passed an interim order banning any religious clothing in education institutions and had reserved its ruling on February 25 after daily hearings for nearly two weeks. Before Tuesday's verdict, the state had banned large gatherings for a week in several parts of the state including capital Bengaluru "to maintain public peace and order...