Supreme Court of India Partially Lifts Hijab and Cap Ban at Chembur College
The Supreme Court of India has partially lifted a ban imposed by Chembur College in Mumbai that prohibited students from wearing hijabs, caps, and other religious symbols. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar issued a notice on the petition challenging the ban and stayed the ban on hijabs and caps.
During the hearing, the bench expressed surprise at the college’s decision and questioned its rationale. The court emphasized that students should be allowed to choose their attire, stating that the college’s decision could work against empowering women. Justice Khanna questioned the college’s counsel, Madhvi Divan, on how the ban empowers women and pointed out that religion is also evident in names.
The college argued that the ban was to prevent the revelation of students’ religions, but the court disagreed, stating that such rules should not be imposed. However, the court upheld the ban on face-covering veils like burqas and niqabs, agreeing that they could be barriers to interaction in class.
This decision follows an appeal against a Bombay High Court ruling that supported the college’s dress code. The High Court had dismissed a plea by a group of girl students from Chembur Trombay Education Society’s NG Acharya and DK Marathe College, who claimed that the dress code violated their fundamental rights to privacy, dignity, and religious freedom. The college maintained that the ban applied to all religious symbols and was not targeted at Muslims.
The Supreme Court’s interim order will be reviewed in the week commencing November 18.
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court of India -: The Supreme Court of India is the highest court in the country. It makes important decisions about laws and rules.
Hijab -: A hijab is a headscarf worn by some Muslim women to cover their hair and neck as part of their religious practice.
Cap -: A cap is a type of hat that people wear on their heads. It can be part of a uniform or worn for fashion.
Chembur College -: Chembur College is a school in Mumbai, a big city in India. Colleges are places where older students go to study after high school.
Mumbai -: Mumbai is a large city in India. It is known for being very busy and having many people.
Religious symbols -: Religious symbols are items or clothing that show a person’s faith or religion, like a cross for Christians or a hijab for Muslims.
Notice -: A notice is an official announcement or warning. In this case, the court gave a notice to the college about its decision.
Stayed the ban -: To stay a ban means to temporarily stop it from being enforced. The court decided to pause the ban on hijabs and caps.
Rationale -: Rationale means the reason or explanation for something. The court wanted to know why the college made the rule.
Attire -: Attire means clothing. The court said students should be able to choose what they wear.
Face-covering veils -: Face-covering veils like burqas and niqabs cover most or all of a person’s face. Some Muslim women wear them for religious reasons.
Burqas -: A burqa is a type of clothing that covers a woman’s entire body, including her face, with a mesh screen to see through.
Niqabs -: A niqab is a face veil that leaves only the eyes visible. It is worn by some Muslim women.
Bombay High Court -: The Bombay High Court is a major court in Mumbai. It makes important legal decisions for the region.
Dress code -: A dress code is a set of rules about what people can and cannot wear. Schools and workplaces often have dress codes.
