‘School rules should not be violated’: Congress on Allahabad HC’s hijab ruling

New Delhi: Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput on Tuesday said that while religious freedom must be respected, students should also follow the dress-code rules prescribed by educational institutions, reacting to the Allahabad High Court ruling on wearing a hijab with a school uniform.

Rajput stressed the importance of following the dress-code rules laid down by individual educational institutions.

“There is one law across the country, and everyone is allowed to practice religious harmony. However, the school uniform is governed by the rules of the school administration. So, the rules of the school administration should not be violated, so that all students maintain uniformity…” Rajput told IANS.

Janata Dal (United) National General Secretary Shyam Rajak said courts should take people’s religious, social and educational freedoms into consideration while passing orders.

Rajak said political leaders should not comment on judicial orders but emphasised the need for courts to consider broader issues affecting people.

“Regarding the order passed by the Hon’ble Judge of the Allahabad High Court, we cannot comment on a court order. However, it would be appropriate if such orders are passed while taking into consideration people’s religious, social, and educational freedoms. Today, whether it is the Supreme Court, High Courts, or lower courts, crores of cases are pending everywhere. People come and go, and some even die, but they do not get justice on time. I am not alleging anything against them, but my point is that the Hon’ble courts and judges should consider the people who have been suffering for years and focus on disposing of cases as quickly as possible. Creating a different kind of atmosphere by giving higher priority to only certain issues does not seem right…” Rajak said.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma, reacting to the same ruling, said his party would abide by whatever decision is eventually taken by the Supreme Court. He also questioned why a student should not be allowed to wear a hijab along with the prescribed school uniform if it is worn as part of her faith.

“There are two things. We will abide by whatever the Hon’ble Supreme Court says. But what is the problem with wearing a hijab along with a school uniform? If a person wears a hijab as part of their faith, there should be no problem with it…” Verma said.

The reactions came after the Allahabad High Court, in a significant ruling, clarified that a student does not have a right to alter the dress code prescribed by an educational institution according to personal preferences.

The court dismissed a petition seeking directions to school authorities to allow a student to wear a headscarf in addition to the uniform prescribed by the institution.

The petition was filed by a minor girl studying at a private school in Prayagraj. According to the case details, the student had completed her high school education and was seeking admission to Class 11 in the same institution.

IANS