“Section 133 of the same act gives the government the right to direct schools and colleges in their regard on what is appropriate. The state government in one of its circulars in January 2014 constituted College Development Authority to look into the welfare of all issues related to the college and its functioning. In government colleges and schools, it involves the school management and students, likewise in private institutes, the committees comprise members from the management, parents and teachers,” the note reads. 

 

These committees are entrusted with the responsibility of looking into the overall well-being and conduct of the college. “It has come to the education department’s notice that in some educational institutions, students, some students are found following religious practices which are posing a threat to integrity and unity in the college,” the government said. 

 

The government has also cited examples of HC and SC decisions in similar cases. In a similar instance in Bihar, the supreme court decision has been quoted in the government reminder stating that individual interest must yield larger public interest. 

 

In a similar incident in Mumbai where a private school and students had approached the high court regarding the “headscarf”, the Bombay High Court had issued a judgment citing that asking students not to wear a headscarf inside school does not amount to a violation of the Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. A similar judgment, based on this case was announced by the Madras High Court later, hearing another case from an educational institution.

 

Based on the decision given by the Supreme Court that asking students not to wear scarves or clothing that covers the face does not amount to a violation of Article 25 and under provisions of the Karnataka Education Act 1983, the government has passed the order.