On Tuesday Karnataka High Court in Smt Resham vs the State of Karnataka held that the order passed by the government on February 5 empowered universities of state to ban wearing of hijab/headscarves in colleges.

The bench consists of Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice JM Khazi.

The court observed that wearing of hijab is not an essential practice of the Islamic religion. Under article 19(g) of the constitution, the government is allowed to put reasonable restrictions over the right of freedom and expression.

The court told us that government has the power to pass the order there is no invalidation in that.

Muslim girls from various colleges of Karnataka filed the petition in the high court. They are denied to attend colleges. The court said no student should wear hijab and saffron shawls in college.