SC To Hear Hijab Ban Case: CJI DY Chandrachud Says Will Constitute A Bench

The Supreme Court said that a bench will be constituted to hear the Hijab Case. This comes after the Shariat Committee approached the Supreme Court and sought permission for Muslim girl students to appear in exams that are being conducted on March 9, 2023. These women students are hijab-clad and there has been a ban on wearing hijab on college campuses by the Karnataka Government. 

CJI DY Chandrachud said that the matter will be listed immediately after the Holi break. But the lawyers submitted before the court the exam in five days.

The CJI then assured that a bench will be constituted and the matter will be heard.

The SC had earlier said that it will take a call on the listing of the Karnataka Hijab case which deals with the ban imposed on Muslim girl students from wearing hijab in government colleges. The Muslim girls have filed a plea seeking interim relief so that they can attend their college exams. 

A request for the urgent listing of the matter was made earlier as well on January 23 by Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora. She said that the practical exams were scheduled in the college in the month of march which is why interim relief is required for the affected girl students to appear in the exams. The court had assured the petitioners that it would fix a date for the case before a three-judge bench.

Due to the ban imposed by the Karnataka government for wearing Hijab in government Pre-university Colleges, several students shifted to private establishments but the exams will take place in the government colleges. It was submitted by Advocate Farasat that the students have already lost one year and they do not wish to loose more time. That is why they are solely seeking to take part in the exams.

Background:

The ban on wearing hijab was challenged before the Karnataka High Court where it was upheld. Hereinafter, the matter reached reached the SC. 

The Supreme Court bench which heard the matter comprised of Justice Hemant Gupta (now retired) and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia. Justice Gupta upheld the Hijab ban while Justice Dhulia ruled against the ban, delivering a spilt verdict.