Priyanka Singh
Published on: September 16, 2022 at 20:08 IST
The Supreme Court dismissed a petition on Friday which seeked a Uniform Dress Code for all staff and students in all recognized educational institutes across the country.
The bench of Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia set aside the matter as a subject which shouldn’t be brought to the Court.
Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, for the petitioner, tried persuading the bench citing it as a constitutional issue and against the purpose of the Right to Education Act, 2009.
He further prayed that the purpose of the plea was to ensure uniformity and not one uniform to all schools.
According to petitioner Nikhil Upadhyay, a Common Dress Code will ensure the status of equality and promote fraternity, dignity and national integration.
The cause of action, as stated by the petitioner, was held to be the Hijab case of Karnataka dated 02.02.2022, where the petitioner submitted that,
“Educational institutions are secular public places and are meant to impart knowledge and wisdom employment, good health and contribute to nation building, not to follow essential and non-essential religious practices. It is very essential to introduce a Common Dress Code in all Schools-Colleges to preserve the secular character of educational institutions…”
“If this isn’t done, tomorrow Naga Sadhus may take admission in colleges and attend the class “without clothes citing essential religious practice,” read the plea.
The petition also reflected the intention of separating the educational institutions from the faith, culture, and religions to promote secularism.
After the Court’s denial to take up the matter, the petitioner was allowed to withdraw the petition.