The Karnataka State Minority Educational Institutions Management Federation has issued a stern warning to the state government, threatening to take contempt action if Muslim girls wearing hijab are barred from entering examination centres.  The federation president Advocate CR Mohammed Imtiaz addressing a press conference emphasised that the Karnataka High Court had already quashed the government circular that banned the wearing of hijab in exam centres.  “The Karnataka High Court’s decision is clear.

The government circular banning the hijab in examination centres was struck down. The education minister’s statement about continuing the ban is legally incorrect,” Imtiaz said, referring to Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa’s recent remark.  He stressed that given the ongoing legal proceedings, the state government is not allowed to make any further decisions on the issue. “The court has already made its ruling, and the permission granted by the court remains in place,” he added.  The federation also highlighted that the ban would not apply to minority educational institutions.

It cited the court’s ruling on February 22, 2022, which nullified the circular from February 5 of that year. The judgment clarified that minority institutions are protected under Article 30(1) of the Constitution.  Imtiaz urged the education minister to issue a directive to examination authorities and central officials, ensuring that Muslim female students from minority institutions are allowed to take exams while wearing the hijab. He warned that if the government does not comply with the court’s order, legal action will be pursued. “If the authorities, including the education minister, fail to implement the high court’s directions, we will file a contempt petition,” Imtiaz stated firmly. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)