From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court once again on Friday refused urgent hearing on Karnataka’s Hizab row, saying it is aware of what is happening but the Karnataka High Court was already seized of the matter and it will examine at an appropriate time, but it does not make it a national issue.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana refused to entertain a petition filed by senior advocate Devadatt Kamat on the interim order passed by the High Court. On Kamat describing the High Court order as “strange,” the Supreme Court told him not to blow it over as a national issue and wait for the final outcome of the High Court hearing.
The Bench, which also included Justices A S Bopanna and Ms Hima Kohli, had also refused urgent hearing pressed on Thursday by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, on the same ground that the High Court was already seized of the matter.
Kamat insisted that the Karnataka High Court’s order that no one should wear religious dress or anything symbolises religious identity had far-fetched implications. The High Court’s interim decision to ban all religious dresses, including hijab and saffron shawls, till order was passed in the matter saw a student moving the apex court challenging the HC order.
A student had relied on certain oral remarks of the full bench of the High Court to let Kamat seek an urgent hearing by the Supreme Court. He raised objections to the High Court’s interim order: “We will direct that the institutions shall start. But till the matter is pending consideration before the Court, these students and all stakeholders, they shall not insist on wearing religious garments, may be headdress or saffron shawl. We will restrain everyone.”
On Kamat’s argument that Article 25 is in danger, the CJI said “If there is anything wrong, we will protect, but think over, is it proper to bring these things to Delhi, national level.
