Karnataka Hijab ban / Not very fair to compare with practices in Sikhism says Supreme Cour

The Supreme Court on Thursday also heard the matter of ban on hijab in educational institutions of Karnataka. During the hearing, the Supreme Court asked the petitioners not to draw equality between Muslims and Sikhs. Simultaneously, the court observed that it is not very fair to compare the practices of Sikhism with the hijab as it is permissible for Sikhs to wear turbans and kirpans.

Vikrant Shekhawat : Sep 08, 2022, 10:36 PM
Karnataka Hijab ban | The Supreme Court on Thursday also heard the matter of ban on hijab in educational institutions of Karnataka. During the hearing, the Supreme Court asked the petitioners not to draw equality between Muslims and Sikhs. Simultaneously, the court observed that it is not very fair to compare the practices of Sikhism with the hijab as it is permissible for Sikhs to wear turbans and kirpans. The Supreme Court has also mentioned the 'Five K' of Sikhism during the hearing.

Hearing a batch of petitions challenging the Karnataka High Court's decision refusing to lift the ban on hijab in the state's educational institutions, the Supreme Court observed the five K-Kesh, Kada, Kachha, Kirpan and Kangha practice in Sikhism. Mentioned and said that it is well established. A bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia made the remarks after a lawyer appearing for one of the petitioners in the case cited the example of Sikhism and turban.

It is not very fair to compare the practices of Sikhism.

The bench said, it is not very fair to compare rights or practices in Sikhism. The court cited Article 25 of the Constitution for this and said that it permits the carrying of kirpan by Sikhs. So don't compare these practices as they have been recognized before 100 years. Several petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court against the March 15 decision of the High Court which held that wearing hijab is not a part of the essential religious practice which can be protected under Article 25 of the Constitution.

Sikhism's practices are well established

Arguing for one of the petitioners, advocate Nizam Pasha said that only kirpan is mentioned in Article 25 and not the other. After which the court said, 'We are saying that do not draw any analogy with Sikhism. That's all. That's what we are saying.' On the argument being made about kara and turban, the bench said that the practices in Sikhism are well established and well rooted in the culture of the country.