Karnataka Hijab Ban: ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’, GIO urges SC for speedy decision

NEW DELHI: In solidarity with the Muslim students of Karnataka, National Federation of Girls Islamic Organization (GIO) urged the Supreme Court to expedite decision on the Karnataka hijab ban in schools, colleges, and said that “justice delayed is justice denied”. It also requested the apex court to scrap the Karnataka government’s order on February 5 prohibiting headscarf in educational institutions.

The Supreme Court pronounced a split verdict on the Karnataka Hijab ban matter yesterday, October 13. While Justice Hemant Gupta upheld the hijab ban verdict of Karnataka High Court, Justice Sudhanshshu Dhuli allowed all the appeals and set aside the judgment of the Karnataka High Court.

Due to the divergence of opinion, the matter has been placed before the Chief Justice of India for appropriate decision, the bench said in the order.

Following the top court’s split verdict, the Karnataka education minister BC Nagesh said the Karnataka High Court order upholding the state government's ban on hijab on school and college campuses will remain valid till a decision is arrived.

“Several hundred thousand Muslim girls have been deprived of education due to the hijab ban in Karnataka. With the split verdict of the Supreme Court, Muslim girls are being withheld from their rights and excluded from the educational sector,” Sumaiya Roshan, national president of GIO said.

“Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia's judgement in the Supreme Court, recognizing their right to choice and dismissing the hijab ban order issued by the Karnataka government, offers hope,”

Expressing concern over how the delay in Hijab verdict is impacting the future of a large section of the student community, she said, “The interminable wait for justice dilutes the constitutionally guaranteed individual rights.”

Considering the long wait and the observations of Justice Dhulia, “the Karnataka Government order on the ban must be withdrawn allowing admission of Hijabi students to educational institutions. We also urge the court to expedite the matter.” she added.

She further said that the National Federation of GIO expresses its utmost solidarity with the concerned students and stands with them in their future struggle.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the final verdict on the 'hijab' issue is important and that he would give his reaction only after going through the judgement copy. “The demand of students is different and the government order is different. Since it involves national and international issues, the government is expecting a clear verdict from the court,” he added.