Bengaluru: After 11 days marathon arguments from Muslim students, state government, college management committee and colleges, the three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court has reserved its order on a bunch of petitions challenging the state government order banning the wearing of hijabs in the classrooms.

Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S. Dixit and  Justice Khazi Jaibunnisa Mohiuddin bench has completed the arguments and reserved the judgement.

Senior counsel Ravivarma Kumar submitted a rejoinder stating that the Local MLA is heading the college management committee. Out of 12 members, 11 members will be nominated by MLA. Giving absolute power to local MLA is nothing but college is given over on a platter to him, Mr. Kumar countering the arguments of Sajan Poovayya.

Mr. Poovayya argued that appointing the local MLA as the President of CDC is nothing wrong. But the issue of entrusting a legislative member with executive power is not accepted, Mr. Ravivarma Kumar contended citing the judgement of Bhim Singh vs Union of India.

 “There is absolutely no accountability for the MLA who functions as an absolute monarch over the college. There is no control over him. Suppose there is a misuse of funds and the Committee is responsible, who will hold the CDC accountable”, Mr. Kumar argued.

Advocate Kulkarni argued that banning of hijab in schools and colleges has affected the mental health of Muslim girls, more so girls who wear the hijab. Hijab is sported as a cultural practice and custom for 1400 years, he argued.