India court upholds ban on hijab in schools

An Indian court has upheld a ban on wearing of the hijab in classrooms in one of its southern states

It’s a ruling that could set a precedent for the rest of the country, which has a big Muslim minority.

The state ban last month sparked protests by some Muslim students and parents, and counter-protests by Hindu students.

Critics of the ban say it is another way of marginalising a community that accounts for about 13-percent of India’s 1.35 billion people.

The court’s Chief Justice says wearing a hijab does not form a part of essential religious practice.

He said the government had the power to prescribe uniform guidelines, and dismissed various petitions challenging the order.