“No other religious symbol is considered… Why only hijab? Is it not because of their religion? Discrimination against Muslim girls is purely on the basis of religion and hence a hostile discrimination,” Kumar argued.Protesting instances where students were punished or removed from class for wearing the hijab, the lawyer said, “We are not permitted. We are not heard but punished straight away. Can it be more draconian? Can they be called teachers?””It is full of prejudice because of the religion. No notice, straight away sent out of the classroom, by persons without authority,” he said.”Judicial note is to be taken that Muslim girls are least represented in classrooms. If they are shut out on this pretext, it will be very draconian,” Kumar said.The arguments in the case come amid simmering tension in Karnataka where late last year, at least four schoolgirls were prevented from wearing the Muslim headscarf, sparking protests that have since spread even to other states.The Karnataka High Court has imposed a temporary ban on the wearing of all religious symbols in schools while it considers the headscarf ban. The bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justices Krishna S Dixit and JM Khazi started hearing the case last Thursday and proceeded to pass an interim order, directing students not to wear hijab, saffron shawls (bhagwa) or use any religious flags while attending classes in Karnataka colleges which have a prescribed uniform in the interim.
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