High Court Upholds Hijab Ban in Colleges | 02 Jul 2024

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, the Bombay High Court dismissed a plea by 9 students who have challenged the college's new dress code that banned the wearing of hijabs, burqas, niqabs, and any other religious identifiers inside the college premises.

• The court held that the dress code was decided in the "larger academic interest" of the students.

What were the Key Arguments and Court’s Ruling?

• Arguments of Students:
  • Students argued that the college dress code infringes on their religious freedom and right to education. They believe the college doesn't have the authority to impose such restrictions, especially since it hinders access to education for minority communities. 
    • They claim the restrictions violate specific articles of the constitution Article 19(1)(a) (Right to Freedom of Expression) and Article 25 (Right to Freedom of Religion).
    • They also claimed the decision was in violation of University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012 meant to increase access to higher education for SC,ST, OBC and minority communities.
• Arguments of College Administration:
  • The college administration, however, argued that the dress code was applicable to all students, across religious and community lines. It said that the objective behind the rules was to not reveal students’ religion.
    • They relied on the 2022 judgement of Karnataka High Court which stated that donning the hijab or niqab was “not an essential religious practice” for women professing Islam. 
    • The college also said that this was an internal matter, and a part of its right to maintain discipline.
    • It held that the dress code, which prescribed "any Indian/western non-revealing dress" for girls, was applicable to all students across religious and community lines. 
• Bombay High Court’s Ruling:
  • The Bombay HC rejected the students' argument that wearing the hijab is an "essential religious practice" emphasising the dress code was applicable uniformly to all students, irrespective of their "caste, creed, religion or language” which did not violate the UGC regulations on promoting equity in higher education.
  • It held that between the competing rights of a student's choice of dress and the institution's right to maintain discipline, the "larger rights" of the college must prevail, as students are expected to attend the institution for academic advancement.
  • The court relied on and expressed "full agreement" with the 2022 judgement of the Karnataka High Court (HC) on Resham v. State of Karnataka, 2022 which had validated the state government's ban on hijabs in government colleges.
• Challenged in Supreme Court:
  • However, the Karnataka HC judgement on hijab ban is itself currently under challenge in the Supreme Court, where a 2-judge bench delivered a split verdict in October 2022. The case has now been referred to a larger bench of the Supreme Court.
    • This Bombay HC verdict is also likely to be contested in the Supreme Court.

How Have Courts Ruled so far on the Issue of a Hijab?

• Bombay High Court, 2003: 
  • In Fathema Hussain Sayed v Bharat Education Society, the court held that the Quran does not prescribe the wearing of a headscarf, and a girl student not wearing a headscarf cannot be seen as violating Islamic injunctions.
• 2015 Kerala High Court Cases:
  • Two petitions challenged the dress code for the All India Pre-Medical Entrance, which prescribed light clothes with half sleeves and slippers instead of shoes.
  • The Central Board of School Education (CBSE) argued that the dress code was to prevent unfair practices. 
    • The Kerala HC directed the CBSE to implement additional measures for students wishing to wear religious attire.
• Amna Bint Basheer v CBSE, 2016:
  • The Kerala HC ruled that wearing a hijab is an essential religious practice but upheld the CBSE dress code, allowing additional measures and safeguards as in 2015.
• Kerala High Court, 2018: 
  • In Fathima Thasneem v State of Kerala, the court ruled in favour of a Christian missionary school's decision to deny permission to wear headscarves, stating that the "collective rights" of the school must take precedence over individual student rights.
• Supreme Court Split Verdict on Hijab Ban:

What is the Constitutional Framework for Religious Freedom in India?

• Right to Freedom of Religion: Articles 25-28 of Part-3 (Fundamental Rights) of the Constitution confers the right to freedom of religion to all persons.
  • Article 25(1): This article grants the "freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion." It establishes a negative liberty, wherein the state cannot obstruct the exercise of this right.
  • Article 26: This article provides the "freedom to manage religious affairs" subject to public order, morality, and health. 
    • It allows religious denominations to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes.
  • Article 27: This article prohibits the state from compelling any citizen to pay taxes for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion. It upholds the principle of secularism.
  • Article 28: This article deals with the freedom to attend religious instruction or worship in certain educational institutions. 
    • It allows the state to provide religious instruction in state-recognized or state-funded educational institutions.
• Further, Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution deal with the protection of the interests of minorities.

Way Forward

• Judicial Consensus & Supreme Court's Role: Aligning High Court judgments can indicate an emerging judicial view. The Supreme Court's verdict will be crucial for a clear legal framework.
• Balancing Rights & Institutional Needs: The challenge lies in balancing individual religious freedom with institutions' autonomy to implement dress codes. This needs careful consideration in each educational context.

• Comprehensive Guidelines & Inclusivity: The lack of national-level dress code guidelines necessitates clear policies from the UGC, ensuring uniformity and protecting fundamental rights.

  • Formulating dress codes through a consultative process involving all stakeholders is needed to foster inclusivity and address concerns regarding diverse religious practices.

Conclusion

The Bombay HC verdict is a significant development in the hijab controversy, reaffirming the courts' position on the permissibility of dress code regulations in educational institutions. However, it requires a balanced approach that upholds the fundamental rights of students while also preserving the autonomy and academic interests of educational institutions.