Owaisi Slams Allahabad HC Hijab Ruling
AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has criticised the Allahabad High Court’s recent ruling rejecting a Muslim student’s plea to wear a hijab with her school uniform. Owaisi called the decision an “attack on Islam” and argued that judges should not determine what constitutes an essential practice of a religion.
Allahabad High Court Hijab Ruling
The Allahabad High Court dismissed the petition filed by a minor student from a private school in Prayagraj. The student, who had completed Class 10 and sought admission to Class 11 at the same institution, wanted permission to wear a headscarf along with the prescribed school uniform.
The court held that a student cannot insist on modifying an institution’s dress code according to personal preference when the uniform policy is fair, non-discriminatory and intended to maintain discipline and institutional identity.
Court Says Hijab Not Essential Religious Practice
A two-judge bench of Justices JJ Munir and Indrajeet Shukla rejected the argument that wearing a headscarf could be established as an essential religious practice of Islam. The court said the petitioner had not placed sufficient material to establish such a claim.
The ruling also referred to earlier judicial decisions concerning the essential religious practice doctrine while upholding the school’s authority to enforce its prescribed uniform.
Owaisi Criticises Allahabad HC Order
Owaisi strongly disagreed with the ruling and said the issue should not have been decided while the Supreme Court is considering questions concerning essential religious practices. He argued that the order affects constitutional protections under Articles 19 and 25.
The AIMIM chief also said the judgment could discourage Muslim girls from pursuing education and criticised the court’s approach to uniformity, stating that “uniformity is not equality.” His remarks have added to the wider debate over religious freedom, school dress codes and constitutional rights.
