Nine students from NG Acharya and DK Marathe College in Mumbai have filed a plea in the Bombay High Court challenging the college’s ban on wearing hijabs. The students, in their second and third years of B.Sc programs, claim the dress code infringes on their rights to privacy, dignity, and religious freedom. They argue that the ban is discriminatory, lacks legal basis, and contradicts the principles of equality and inclusiveness mandated by educational policies.
The students assert that the college’s restriction on religious attire is arbitrary and illegal. They emphasize that the niqab and hijab are essential to their religious practices and personal identity. They also argue that the college’s directive indirectly labels hijabs and burqas as indecent, infringing on their bodily autonomy and personal choice.
The plea highlights the urgency of the situation, as the academic year begins soon, potentially preventing the petitioners from attending classes. They seek an interim stay on the dress code enforcement and the quashing of the college’s notice. The case underscores the tension between institutional regulations and individual religious rights in educational settings.