Three-judge bench formed by the CJ of Karnataka: Hijab Case

From Thursday, Chief Justice of Karnataka Ritu Raj Awasthi has formed a three-judge bench to hear the Hijab case. The CJK will be joined by Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice Khazi Jaibunnisa Mohiuddin on the bench. The Karnataka High Court transferred the hearing petitions challenging the hijab ban in several state colleges to a larger panel on Wednesday. Meanwhile, for the next two weeks, the Karnataka police have banned rallies, agitations, demonstrations, and gatherings within a 200-meter radius of schools, PU colleges, degree colleges, and other comparable educational institutions in Bengaluru.

‘In view of the enormity of questions of importance which were debated, the court is of the considered opinion that the Chief Justice should decide if a larger bench can be constituted in the subject matter,’ Justice Dixit said. ‘The bench was also of the view that the interim prayers should also be placed before larger bench that may be constituted by Chief Justice Awasthi exercising his discretion,’ In the order, Justice Dixit made a point. The court, which heard the petitions on Tuesday, urged students and the general public to maintain peace and tranquility.

Following tensions over the hijab row in various regions of the state, the state government announced the closure of high schools and universities for the next three days on Tuesday. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a Congress leader, chimed in on the ongoing hijab debate in Karnataka on Wednesday, saying that it is a woman's right to wear whatever she wants, whether it is a bikini, a 'ghoonghat,' or a 'hijab.'

Student protests have become more widespread in Karnataka as the hijab dispute continues to rage. In response to the escalation, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has ordered the closure of all high schools and colleges for the next three days and has requested everyone to follow orders. In Bengaluru, Section 144 has been implemented in various districts, and all public gatherings and protests have been banned for two weeks.