New Delhi: A girl from Karnataka has petitioned the Supreme Court after the High Court yesterday advised students to refrain from wearing "religious garments" for the sake of "peace and tranquillity" until it rules on a case involving hijab restrictions in schools and colleges.
The petition by the girl challenges the Karnataka High Court's order allowing educational institutions in the state to open for the time being but with no religious clothing on campus.

Schools and colleges were closed earlier this week as a result of an escalating dispute over hijab restrictions in the classroom. Protests against a hijab ban in one government-run college in Udupi quickly spread to many other institutions where girls wearing hijabs were barred from entering. As rival protests by saffron scarf-wearing students erupted, violence erupted at one college.

"We will request, and not only request, but also pass an order allowing the institutions to reopen, but while the matter is before the court, these students and all stakeholders will not insist on wearing religious garments, such as a headdress or a saffron shawl, or anything else. We will put a stop to that because we want peace and tranquillity in the state "Karnataka Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi stated this on Thursday during a hearing on a petition challenging hijab restrictions.

On Monday, the petition will be heard again.

"We are prepared to make a decision as soon as possible, but the state's peace and tranquillity must be restored. This is what we discover. You people must not insist on wearing all of these religious items that are not conducive until the matter is resolved "According to the High Court.

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The student who has petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the High Court order claims that practical exams begin on February 15 and that "any interference with students' access to educational institutions will impede their education."

She claims that because wearing the hijab is protected by the constitutional rights to free expression, privacy, and "freedom of conscience," the High Court order is unconstitutional.

Another petition, filed yesterday before the High Court hearing, by student Fathima Bushra, challenged the Karnataka government's order last week banning clothes that "disturb equality, integrity, and public order."

"In the event that the administrative committee does not select a uniform, clothing that disrupts equality, integrity, and public law and order should not be worn," the Karnataka government's order stated.

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As Congress leader and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal urged the Supreme Court to hear Fathima Bushra's petition, saying the issue is "spreading across the country," Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said, "We will see."