Former AG Mukul Rohatgi is "glad" about Karnataka High Court verdict upholding Hijab ban in Karnataka colleges

Former Attorney General for India and Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi has said that he is "glad" with the Karnataka High Court verdict which upheld the ban on wearing hijab by Muslim women in educational institutions of the State..Speaking to Bar & Bench, the Senior Advocate said that "these are just pernicious activities that sensationalize the community."He added that this issue was not of religious practice, but "a reaction to the ultras of another religion" when they tried to "harass" the Muslim women..When asked on whether the High Court was correct in entering the essential religious practice arena while deciding an issue pertaining to uniforms in colleges, the former AG said:"Of course, the Court can decide whether Hijab is an essential religious practice or not. Who else will decide? The Supreme Court decided the triple talaq case also...It is the duty of the Court to decide this. I am very glad about this verdict.".The senior lawyer stated that this issue was about the sanctity of uniform in schools and colleges, and that the time has come for a "common uniform across India."."Please understand the sanctity of a uniform in school or college and the discipline must be maintained. These are just pernicious activities that sensationalise the community. High Court said some unseen hands were behind this when elections were approaching; this is not a case of religious practice. In any case, practice religion at home and you don't have to carry everything to school. Imagine what will happen if every person says 'I am wearing this and that to school'. What kind of a uniformity will be there? This will create a wedge between different sections of the society by creating such things which impact impressionable minds. Such kinds of things are wrong, pernicious and ultimately, affect mutual disharmony and impact the cohesion and integrity of the nation. All schools must follow and impose discipline, and if necessary, it is better to implement a common uniform system that will ensure discipline.".When asked if other religious attires would come under the axe of this verdict, especially turbans worn by Sikhs, the Senior Counsel stated that hijabs and turbans "cannot be equated."."One cannot equate a turban with this and turbans have been worn for hundreds of years and this hijab business has just commenced just before the elections," said Rohatgi. .The former AG went on to say that he had read that the wearing of hijab to educational institutions was a "reaction to the ultras of another religion.""The ultras trying to harass women is also absolutely wrong and should have been curtailed with an iron hand. But one wrong cannot lead to another. So that was wrong and this is also wrong," he said. .The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday upheld the government order (GO) effectively banning the wearing of hijab (headscarves) by Muslim girl students in educational institutions in the State.A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justices Krishna S Dixit and JM Khazi held:- Hijab is not a part of essential religious practices of Islam;- Requirement of uniform is a reasonable restriction on the fundamental right to freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a);- The government has the power to pass the GO; no case is made out for its invalidation..The hearing before the Bench had lasted 11 days, before the verdict was reserved on February 25. On the very first day of the hearing, the Court had passed an interim order directing students not to wear hijab, saffron shawls (bhagwa) or use any religious flags while attending classes in colleges which have a prescribed uniform..Those not wearing hijab do not become sinners under Islam: Why Karnataka High Court upheld Hijab ban