In countries like Iran, women are fighting against hijab, Karnataka govt to SC

New Delhi: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Karnataka government, on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that even countries like Iran, which are constitutionally Islamic, women are fighting against hijab.
Mehta submitted before a bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia that the purpose of uniform, is for equality, equity, and uniformity and when one has to cross that threshold, then that person’s test has to be higher.
He said India is a secular country and even in countries which are constitutionally Islamic like Iran, not all women are wearing hijab, instead they are fighting against it. He added that its mention in the Quran “means it’s permissible.. Not essential”.
Mehta also queried if is it so compelling that people who do not adhere to it are excommunicated or they cannot think of their existence without it? Also Read ‘Definition of dignity has changed with time’, SC observes during hearing on hijab row At this, Justice Dhulia said they (the petitioners) are saying we’ll wear uniforms and they are not saying we won’t. He queried Mehta that if a child wears a muffler during winters, even the muffler is not prescribed in the uniform and will it be prevented? Mehta said the rule says there cannot be a religious identity and uniform is uniform, and in a secular school, one has to wear the uniform.