An Indian court on Tuesday upheld a ban on Islamic headscarves in schools in the southern state of Karnataka, in a ruling that set a precedent and could have an impact on the rest of the country, which has a Muslim minority of more than 200 million.
The ban imposed by the southern state with the support of Hindu extremists last month sparked protests by Muslims across the country, amid human rights and international criticism of what the Muslim minority is exposed to in India.
Chief Justice of the Court Ritu Raj Awasti said that they considered that "the wearing of the headscarf does not constitute an essential part of the religion for Muslim women," stressing that the government "has the power to determine the description of the uniform in schools, and it also has the power to reject the various petitions and appeals in the case."
Before the ruling, Karnataka authorities announced the closure of schools and colleges, and restrictions on public gatherings in some parts of the state, to prevent a potential problem.