A petition challenging the Bombay High Court's decision to uphold a private college's ban on hijabs, nakabs, burkhas, stoles, and caps has been filed with the Supreme Court.
On Tuesday, the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, indicated that the matter will be given urgent attention, with a bench already assigned to hear the case in the coming days.
The Bombay High Court had dismissed petitions from nine female students who contested the dress code at NG Acharya & DK Marathe College in Mumbai. The court upheld the college's regulation, which prohibits students from wearing religious attire, stating that the dress code aims to prevent the disclosure of spiritual identity and promote uniformity, discipline, and academic focus. The High Court's decision referenced a similar ruling by the Karnataka High Court, which endorsed dress codes for maintaining discipline and uniformity in educational institutions.
The petitioners' counsel emphasized the case's urgency, citing upcoming unit tests as critical. They argue that the dress code infringes on students' freedom of choice and expression. The Supreme Court's upcoming review will address these concerns and assess whether the Bombay High Court’s ruling aligns with constitutional rights and freedoms.
