In an interesting turn of events, the Supreme court today has refused to entertain a plea which seeks for the implementation of a uniform dress code in all schools and educational institutions.
The matter was addressed by the bench comprising of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia. Upon hearing the subject of the plea, the bench stated that this is not a matter which should be heard and adjugated upon by the court.
Upon the refusal of the Supreme Court, the advocate for the petitioner appealed for the benches to look into the issue as it was a “constitutional issue and against the spirit of the Right to Education Act, 2009”.
The petitioner filed the PIL in the backdrop of the Karnataka Hijab Row. In the months of February, the state of Karnataka witnessed several protests after students wearing Hijabs were not allowed to enter their colleges, following which on March 15, 2022, the Karnataka High Court passed a verdict which upheld a state government order which banned ‘religious items’ such as Hijabs in schools and educational institutions.
The petition states that a common and uniform dress code should be implemented in all registered schools and education institutions in order to secure equality, promote fraternity and national integration.
“It is very essential to introduce a Common Dress Code in all schools-colleges to preserve the secular character of educational institutions, otherwise tomorrow Naga Sadhus may take admission in colleges and attend the class without clothes citing essential religious practice,” the petition further added.
Sensing the bench’s reluctance to hear the plea, the counsel withdrew the petition. The Supreme court is also currently hearing the petitions challenging the Karnataka HC Hijab Verdict.
