New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Friday intervened in a contentious policy at NG Acharya and DK Marathe College of Arts, Science and Commerce, issuing a stay against the college’s ban on burqas, hijabs, and niqabs. The ban, which was part of a broader dress code initiative, had been previously upheld by the Bombay High Court.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the High Court justified the ban by arguing it would obscure students’ religious affiliations, thereby allowing them to concentrate solely on their academic pursuits. However, during the Supreme Court hearing, Justices Sanjiv Khanna and PV Sanjay Kumar questioned the underlying intent and implications of such a directive, particularly in terms of women’s autonomy in choosing their attire. Justice Kumar specifically criticized the move as regressive and at odds with the principles of independence and religious freedom.