Karnataka HC on hijab row and the bigger debate of Uniform Civil Code

While activists, lawyers and academics across the nation have expressed solidarity with the Muslim girl students of Karnataka, those in favour of the hijab ban have re-ignited the issue of UCC

The Karnataka High Court, in an order last week, barred students from wearing any kind of religious dress, regardless of their faith, in educational institutions. The court's order came after the month-long protests in Kundapura town of Karnataka's Udupi district by students of Government Women’s Pre-University College, who were not allowed to attend classes wearing the hijab. The issue escalated after some students in saffron scarves started protesting against wearing hijabs.

The BJP-led Karnataka state government issued a directive on February 5 backing the order by several educational institutions, and said, “Clothes that disturb equality, integrity, and public law and