{
  "id": 4810910,
  "title": "The hijab in classroom issue is also an access to education issue",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/the-hijab-in-classroom-issue-is-also-an-access-to-education-issue",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T07:19:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/hijab-in-classroom-issue-education-allahabad-high-court-10858446/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 21, the Allahabad High Court rejected Sukaina Rizvi's request to wear a headscarf with her uniform at Tagore Public School in Prayagraj. Rizvi had worn the scarf from Class VI to Class X without objection. The court held that schools can enforce a uniform dress code as long as it is legitimate and non-discriminatory. However, this case takes on greater significance when considering the broader issue of Muslim girls' access to education. According to 2024-25 UDISE+ data, Muslim girls made up 18% of female enrollment at the primary level, 16% at upper-primary, 15.2% at secondary, and 12.9% at higher-secondary. In Uttar Pradesh, these percentages were 20.3, 16.4, 15, and 13.3%, respectively. By the higher-secondary level, Muslim girls' enrollment is 5.1 percentage points lower nationally and 7 points lower in Uttar Pradesh. This issue is not new; the Sachar Committee identified barriers such as limited access beyond primary school, distance, safety concerns, and fewer hostel facilities affecting Muslim girls' education. Schools often create a hostile environment, deterring Muslim students through subtle barriers. While the court acknowledges the benefits of uniforms in instilling discipline and promoting equality, it questions whether enforcing a uniform can truly ensure equality when girls face diminishing access to education as they progress through school. Research shows that secondary schooling has significant effects on women and girls, including higher earnings, delayed marriage and childbearing, increased decision-making power, and better health and nutrition outcomes. If a seemingly equality-focused rule hinders continued education, courts should consider whether the institutional benefit justifies the cost. Rizvi's consistent use of the headscarf for years and the court's inability to find a reason why it became incompatible with the school's understanding by Class XI raises questions about the necessity of the rule. An alternative approach could be a more flexible accommodation, allowing headscarves while maintaining necessary rules for identification, safety, and discipline. The Karnataka High Court rejected a similar proposal due to concerns about the uniform losing its identity, but this view overlooks the potential for reasonable accommodation. The Supreme Court's split verdict in Aishat Shifa v. State of Karnataka highlights the ongoing disagreement, with some justices emphasizing uniformity while others recognize the importance of accommodating students' beliefs and expressions. Indian constitutional law could support this more nuanced approach, where accommodation is considered a sign of a mature society that respects diverse identities. While schools can maintain uniform dress codes, they should not dismiss accommodations that do not compromise essential safety, identification, pedagogy, or discipline principles. Ultimately, a uniform should symbolize equality inside the classroom without becoming a barrier to the education that can empower girls to achieve genuine equality beyond it.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Allahabad High Court rejects Sukaina Rizvi's request to wear hijab at Tagore Public School.",
    "Schools may create hostile environment deterring Muslim students, hindering continued education."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The court ruling highlights that restricting Muslim girls' attire can exacerbate existing barriers to education, potentially undermining the empowerment and equality that education can bring.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}