Karnataka hijab ban: Supreme Court delivers split verdict, refers case to a larger bench

The Supreme Court of India delivered a split verdict in the Karnataka hijab ban row case on Thursday. The SC bench ordered that the matter be placed before the CJI for assigning the controversy, arising from the Karnataka government's February 5 circular, to a three-judge bench. Justice Hemant Gupta, before pronouncement of the judgment, said "there is divergent opinion" and upholds the Karnataka government circular enforcing uniform and banning all religious dresses, including hijab. He dismissed the appeals. Justice Dhulia differed with Justice Gupta and said primary consideration for him was that the education of Muslim girl child.