Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has rejected a petition filed by a Muslim student seeking permission to wear a hijab with the prescribed uniform at a private school in Prayagraj.
The two-judge bench ruled that students do not have a legal right to make personal changes to a uniform set by an educational institution.
Court Rejects Student’s Hijab Plea
According to Indian media reports, the minor student filed the petition through her mother. She had completed Class 10 and wanted to enroll in Class 11 at the same school.
The student said she had worn the hijab since Class 6. She also argued that wearing the hijab forms an essential part of her Islamic faith.
However, the court did not accept her request. It noted that photographs from the student’s classes did not show other female students wearing the hijab.
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Court Refers to Uniform Rules
The bench comprised Justice J.J. Munir and Justice Inderjeet Shukla.
The court observed that several Indian high courts have held that wearing the hijab is not an essential religious practice whose absence would affect Islamic belief.
At the same time, the court said a private educational institution can enforce its uniform and discipline rules. This applies when the rules are fair, non-discriminatory and apply equally to all students.
School Opposed Special Exemption
The school administration opposed the student’s request. It said the institution is privately run and financially independent.
Students from different religious backgrounds study at the school. Therefore, the administration argued that giving one student a special exemption could affect discipline and the principle of a common uniform.
The state government and the Central Board of Secondary Education also opposed the petition.
Allahabad High Court Dismisses Petition
The Allahabad High Court delivered the ruling on August 21 and dismissed the student’s petition.
The decision adds to the ongoing legal debate in India over religious clothing in educational institutions. It also highlights the balance between individual religious expression and institutional uniform policies.
