Allahabad HC dismisses hijab plea, upholds school uniform code

The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition filed by a minor Muslim student seeking permission to wear a hijab with her prescribed school uniform, ruling that the student failed to establish that wearing a headscarf is an essential religious practice of Islam. The court further held that a private educational institution has the authority to enforce a uniform dress code aimed at maintaining discipline and institutional identity. The judgment was delivered on August 21 by a bench comprising Justice J.J. Munir and Justice Indrajeet Shukla. The petitioner, a student at a private school in Prayagraj, had completed Class X and was seeking admission to Class XI at the same institution.