BENGALURU: In the ongoing hearing on petitions related to the hijab issue before the Karnataka High Court, Advocate General Prabhuling K Navadagi on Monday argued that student-petitioners have not been able to substantiate their claim that wearing hijab is an essential religious practice as they have not placed any material to support their argument. Citing several Supreme Court judgements, starting from Shirur Mutt to Sabarimala case, Navadagi said that wearing hijab is not an essential religious practice under Article 25 of the Constitution.

Navadagi argued that the contention that triple talaq was part of a religious practice was rejected by the apex court. If wearing hijab is an essential religious practice, it should not come in conflict with the public order, he added. 

Not only that, it has to pass the ‘essential test’ on certain principles, otherwise the question of declaring a religious practice essential does not arise, he claimed. The principles raised by Navadagi are that wearing hijab must be a practice fundamental to that religion. If that practice is not observed or not followed or discontinued, it would result in change of the religion itself. 

‘Govt doesn’t interfere in uniforms’

The practice must precede the birth of the religion and that practice should not be evolved after the birth of the religion. The practice should be the cornerstone or foundation stone of the religion. If the practice is optional and not essential, then it is not binding. If it is compulsive and can be disobeyed, it ceases to be a part of the religion, he stated.

He submitted that the state government does not interfere in the matter of uniform and hence the issue of deciding whether hijab to be permitted or not is left to the CDC. Navadagi submitted that he has communicated the grievances brought to his notice by one of the petitioners’ advocate, Mohammed Tahir, to the chief secretary to convene a meeting of all concerned to address them and take remedial measures.

Officials of the education department informed that no such untoward incidents as claimed by the advocate have been reported, he pleaded. Navadagi will continue his arguments at 2.30 pm on Tuesday.

Sec 144 around B’luru colleges
Bengaluru: Following protests over the hijab row at educational institutions across the state, the Bengaluru city police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prohibiting gathering or protesting within a radius of 200 metres around schools and colleges, for two more weeks. Karnataka has witnessed several demonstrations over the last week on the issue, which had forced the State Government to declare a holiday for high schools and colleges till Friday. As a preventive step, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant issued prohibitory orders on Monday, banning all types of demonstrations near educational institutions in the city till March 8. 

Parmesh S Jain

The West Division police of Byatarayanapura police on Saturday nabbed two persons who were part of the interstate gun racket.

The accused has been identified as,Satish Mane from sangli and Rafiq Dastagir from Kollapur were caught while they were waiting near satellite bus stand to deliver the consignment.

Senior officer told media persons,the Byatarayanpura police Inspector Shankar Naik received a credible and concrete information the gun supply going on in city in his limits near Satellite bus stand.

Based on information he informed to his superiors as,DCP,West,Dr Sanjeev M Patil,ACP Kodandarama,that some person from other state is indulged in supplying guns near Satellite bus stand.

After getting details DCP West,Dr Sanjeev M Patil led a special team under the supervision of ACP, Kodandarama,a team headed by PI, Byatarayanapura, Shankar Naik and his team swung into action and after nearly a month long operation by the team who camped near Satellite bus stand without giving any hint to the culprits.

A special team was deployed in plain clothes and the special crime team were pressed into action the team started combing the area and as on 11th February the team got reliable inputs that the gun seller will arrive at satellite bus stand at 8am in Mysore road to deliver the gun to his clients.

The team who were in action doing patrolling noticed two person waiting for someone and they got suspicious on them and kept a close watch on them and their movements and after getting confirmation additional force was called and the team surrounded the whole area and approached the duo.

When they questioned them to whom they are waiting and asked where they stay the duo were found feared and for further questioning the team secured them and took them to station.

After taking to station when they intercepted them they found a country made pistol and five rounds of ammunition in their possession.

The team seized the country made pistol as they dint produce the relevant documents as licence of it the team arrested the duo under Arms Act and took them into custody.

During investigation the accused confessed to the crime and a detailed Inquires revealed that the duo are part of the inter state gun racket supplying weapons to gangsters and habitual offenders in the city.

The duo has been booked under arms act and taken into custody for further investigation.

Finally Bengaluru Police Commissioner,Kamal Pant has appreciated Addl CP West,Sandeep Patil,DCP West,Dr Sanjeev M Patil,ACP, Kodandarama,PI,Shankar Naik and his crime staff who has a done excellent and meticulous work and investigation after receiving tip off and busted the gun supply racket and successfully nabbed duo with country made pistol and ammunition red handed a suitable reward and appreciation letter will be given to the whole team for the commendable job done by them he added.