Karnataka HC verdict on Hijab: 40 female students abstain from exams

Forty girl students from Udupi district of the southern Indian state of Karnataka abstained from appearing for the first pre-university examination on Tuesday as they were apparently hurt by the recent High Court verdict against wearing of hijab inside classrooms.

The students decided to not appear for the examination without wearing the headscarf as they were hurt by the March 15 order, reports our New Delhi correspondent citing PTI report.

The Karnataka High Court had on March 15 dismissed petitions seeking permission to wear hijab inside the classroom, stating that the headscarf is not a part of the essential religious practice in Islam and also that the uniform dress rule should be followed in educational institutions where it has been prescribed.

Those who shunned the examinations on Tuesday include 24 girl students from Kundapur, 14 from Byndoor and two from Udupi Government Girls PU college, who are involved in the legal fight over wearing of hijab in classrooms. The girls had earlier boycotted the practical examinations also, said the PTI report.

Some private colleges in the district allowed students wearing hijab to attend the examinations, sources said.

The Supreme Court had on March 24 refused to accord urgent hearing on the pleas challenging the Karnataka High Court verdict.

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