The Karnataka government on Tuesday told the High Court that the practice of wearing hijab may be religious but is not an essential religious practice.
The government lawyer argued that hijab cannot come under Article 25 of Constitution, which gives freedom to practice religion.
The Karnataka High Court is hearing various petitions challenging the ban on hijab in educational institutes in the state.
The Advocate General argued that there is no restriction on wearing hijab on campus, adding that the restriction is only inside the classroom during class hours.
The AG cautioned that if hijab becomes religious sanction, women will be obligated to wear it and the element of choice will go away.
The state further argued that there is no discrimination based on religion. "As far as private unaided minority institutions are concerned, we are not interfering with the uniform code and have left it to the institutions to decide,” the government lawyer argued.