The Supreme Court of India has stepped in to address a controversial issue at NG Acharya and DK Marathe College in Mumbai, where a ban on wearing hijab, niqab, burqa, caps, and similar attire was imposed. The court has issued an interim order staying the implementation of this circular, effectively putting the ban on hold. This action came after the court questioned the college’s logic behind the ban. The Supreme Court judges asked the college why it hadn’t also banned tilak and bindi, which are also considered religious markers, if the aim was to prohibit the display of religious affiliations. This pointed questioning highlights the potential for discriminatory practices within the ban. The Supreme Court’s decision to issue the interim order comes in response to a petition filed by Muslim women students of the private college. The petitioners had sought relief from the ban, challenging the Bombay High Court’s previous judgment that had upheld the college’s instructions. The Supreme Court’s intervention signals the importance of upholding the right to religious freedom and the potential for discriminatory practices within seemingly neutral regulations. It remains to be seen what the final outcome of this case will be, but the Supreme Court’s strong stance against the hijab ban and its questioning of the college’s logic have sparked a crucial conversation about religious freedom and inclusivity within educational institutions.
