The plea highlighted that the college, affiliated to Mumbai University and aided by the State of Maharashtra, had no power and authority to issue directions giving out such restrictions and that the notice could not be sustained.
Wearing naqab and hijab is an integral part of the petitioners’ religious belief and it is their free will, choice and a part of their right to privacy to continue wearing the same in the classroom, the plea said.
Further, the plea underlined that the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines aim to increase access to higher education for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, Muslims and other communities, and that the National Education Policy promotes inclusivity.
Therefore, the plea sought a direction from the Court to quash the notice as arbitrary.
Source: Barandbench
