Hijab Ban- Karnataka High Court Full Bench Hearing(Day 4)- LIVE UPDATES

Kumar : I am only showing the vast diversity of religious symbols in all sections of the society. Why is Govt picking on hijab alone and making this hostile discrimination? Banlges are worn? Are they not religious symbols? Why are you picking on these poor Muslim girls?

Kumar : Sir, when there are 100s of symbols then why is the government picking on Hijab. Bangles are worn...

Justice Dixit interjects: Unless the authenticity of paper is established we cannot go by what it says.

Kumar : I am not insisting on accepting this. I am only bringing things to the notice of the Court to show the religious diversity.

Kumar : Kindly take judicial note of the fact that college going girls wear a dupatta, whether Hindu, Muslim or Christian.

Justice Dixit : What is the authority and authenticity of the paper? What is the representative sample?

Kumar reads the research paper - "Most of the religious attire is gender-specific. 2/3rds of Muslim women say they wear a burkha. Half of more Hindus wear religious pendants. Most Hindu, Muslim, Sikh women cover their head outside the home".

Kumar refers to a research paper based on a comprehensive survey done on religious clothes and symbols. "Many Indians display the religion through attire. Half of Hindus and Muslims majority of Christians say they generally wear a religious pendant. Most Sikh men keep hair long"

Kumar : The issue was not decided for 50 years. By the time the decision came, the elephant died.

Justice Dixit : That should not happen in this case.

Kumar : In south India, people are fond of religious symbols. Even our teacher used to come with religious symbols. Either in foreheads or wearing caps. Sir there was a temple elephant. The question was what type of symbol should be put on the forehead of the elephant.

Kumar : The order constituting CDC has to be ignored. Don't let the committee decide the welfare of the students and chuck them out of the classroom on one pretext or the other.

Kumar : With all humility, I say the constitution of a committee of this nature gives a death blow to our democracy and separation of powers.