Not essential religious practice: Allahabad High Court rejects Muslim student’s plea to wear hijab in school

The Allahabad High Court recently rejected a Muslim student’s plea seeking directions to allow her to wear a (hijab) headscarf in addition to the uniform prescribed by her school [Sukaina Rizvi v State of UP and Others].In a judgment delivered on August 21, a bench of Justice JJ Munir and Justice Indrajeet Shukla noted that High Courts have been unanimous in their opinion that wearing a headscarf is not essential part of the Islamic faith for a woman.Pertinently, the Court also said that Karnataka High Court’s decision against wearing of hijabs in schools continues to hold the field as the Supreme Court is yet to settle the dispute after a split verdict “In view of the difference of opinion, the matter was directed to be placed before the Hon’ble the Chief Justice for the constitution of an appropriate Bench.