Reshma Ravishanker

The All India Lawyers Association for Justice has issued a notice to Karnataka’s minister for primary and secondary education, BC Nagesh to withdraw his statements on the Hijab issue immediately and ensure there is no room for misinterpretations of the high court order in this regard. 

Two days before the commencement of class 10 state board exams, the state government issued a circular asking students to only attend exams in uniforms as prescribed by the school’s School Development Monitoring Committee. This was followed by a statement by Nagesh asking students to “shed ego” and attend exams.

The association has said that the minister’s statements are in contradiction to the high court order in the Hijab row that states that the ban has been imposed only wherever uniform has been prescribed. They also claim that this goes against the basic premise of various other government orders issued in this regard.

“Your statements are in violation of your constitutional oath and promote communal disharmony. As an elected representative, you have a responsibility towards all members of the State, and not just the majority. In fact, there is a constitutional responsibility upon you to promote the welfare of marginalised members of society,” the letter sent to the minister reads.

They also said that the suspension of teachers I Gadag who were on duty at an SSLC (class 10) exam centre is a classic example of the court order being misinterpreted.

“This is a misinterpretation of the G.O as well as the Order of the Hon’ble High Court, which has caused great prejudice to the minor Muslim girls seeking to pursue their fundamental right to education. Your statements go beyond the scope of the orders in question and have resulted in a violation of rights of Muslim girl children,” they claimed.

Also read: SSLC Exam: Hijab rule violators to face action, say ministers