Allahabad | Hyderabad, August 25: The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a Class XI student’s plea seeking permission to wear a hijab with her prescribed school uniform. The court held that the student failed to establish that wearing a hijab is an essential religious practice protected under Article 25 of the Constitution.
A division bench of Justice J.J. Munir and Justice Indrajeet Shukla heard the petition filed by the student from Prayagraj. She sought permission to continue wearing a headscarf with the uniform at her school. The student argued that wearing the hijab formed part of her religious practice.
However, the court said a claim based on religious freedom needs sufficient factual and legal support. The bench found that the petition did not provide adequate material to prove that wearing a hijab was an obligatory Islamic practice.
The court also examined the student’s claim that she had worn the headscarf from Class VI to Class X. The school had not objected to it during those earlier years. However, the bench said the earlier practice did not create a legal right to continue wearing the headscarf after the institution decided to enforce its prescribed dress code.
Allahabad HC stresses uniform dress code
The Allahabad High Court also upheld the importance of a uniform dress code in educational institutions. It said a school can enforce a uniform when its policy remains uniform, non discriminatory and linked to discipline and institutional identity.
The court therefore held that an individual student cannot demand a change to the prescribed uniform based only on personal preference. It said the earlier non enforcement of a dress rule does not prevent a school from enforcing that rule later.
The bench also considered earlier judicial decisions on the issue. It noted that several High Courts have held that wearing a headscarf cannot be treated as an essential part of Islamic faith for women in the context considered by those courts.
The bench specifically referred to the Karnataka High Court’s 2022 judgment on hijab in educational institutions. It said there was no reason to take a different view in the present case. The Karnataka ruling remains relevant while the Supreme Court has not settled the issue after a split verdict.
The school, the Uttar Pradesh government and the Central Board of Secondary Education had opposed the student’s plea. The High Court ultimately dismissed the petition and allowed the institution to enforce its prescribed uniform policy.
The ruling adds to the continuing legal debate over religious practices, school dress codes and the scope of Article 25. However, the judgment specifically addressed the student’s claim and the uniform policy in the case before the court.
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates and Follow us on GoogleNews
