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BREAKING | ‘Let Girls Follow What They Want,’ Supreme Court Stays Hijab Ban In Mumbai College

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The Supreme Court of India has issued an interim order staying the hijab ban imposed by NG Acharya & DK Marathe College in Mumbai. The ruling came during a hearing of a petition filed by the college’s students challenging the ban on wearing hijabs, caps, and badges on campus.

“Don’t Impose Such a Rule”: SC Bench Expresses Surprise

As reported by Live Law, a bench consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar expressed surprise at the college’s restriction, with Justice Khanna questioning why it had not extended the ban to other markers of religion, such as tilak and bindi, if the intention was to enforce a uniform dress code.

“Can you say someone wearing a tilak will not be allowed? This is not part of your instructions?” Justice Kumar asked, as per Live Law.

“What is this? Don’t impose such a rule… what is this? Don’t reveal religion?” he further asked.

He further probed the college’s rationale, asking, “Will their names not reveal religion? Will you ask them to be identified by numbers?” He emphasised the importance of allowing students to study together without such divisive regulations.

College’s Autonomy vs. Students’ Rights

Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan, representing the college, argued that as a private institution, the college had the autonomy to enforce its dress code. However, Justice Kumar challenged this by pointing out that the college had operated since 2008 without such restrictions, questioning the timing and necessity of the new rules.

SC Stays Ban, Allows Hijabs, Caps, and Badges

The Supreme Court agreed that face-covering veils, such as nakabs or burkhas, could be a barrier to classroom interaction and upheld the prohibition on such attire. However, it stayed the broader ban on hijabs, caps, and badges, allowing students to wear them on campus until further notice.

Background: Bombay High Court’s Verdict

The controversy began on May 1, when NG Acharya & DK Marathe College issued a notice on its official WhatsApp group, outlining a dress code that banned the wearing of hijab, niqab, burqa, caps, badges, and stoles on the college premises. The students, who were affected by this directive, initially approached the college management and the principal, requesting the withdrawal of the restrictions on hijab, niqab, and burqa. They cited their right to choice, dignity, and privacy in the classroom as the reason for their request.

However, when their requests were ignored, the students escalated the matter to the higher authorities, including the chancellor and vice-chancellor of Mumbai University, as well as the University Grants Commission. They sought intervention to ensure that education was imparted without discrimination. Despite their efforts, they received no response, leading them to file a petition in the Bombay High Court.

In the high court, the petitioners’ advocate, Altaf Khan, presented verses from the Quran to argue that wearing a hijab was an essential part of Islam. The plea stated that the college’s action was “arbitrary, unreasonable, bad-in-law, and perverse.” On the other hand, the college management defended the ban as a measure to enforce a uniform dress code and maintain discipline, denying any intent to discriminate against the Muslim community. Senior counsel Anil Anturkar, representing the college, argued that the dress code applied to students of all religions and castes.

Maharashtra

70-Year-Old Retired Professor From Nagpur Loses ₹16.5 Lakh In ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam

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Mumbai: A 70-year-old retired professor from Nagpur lost Rs16.50 lakh after falling victim to a digital arrest scam.

The fraudster falsely accused him of involvement in child trafficking and claimed a bank account in Mumbai, allegedly in his name, contained proceeds from the crime. On May 6, the professor received a call from someone claiming a mobile number issued in Bengaluru under his name was used for illegal activities.

The caller then transferred him to a supposed police officer via video call, who showed him a bogus arrest warrant and demanded his Aadhaar details. Claiming the professor needed to appear before Delhi police or face arrest, the scammer said he had been placed under ‘digital arrest’ and instructed him to transfer funds for verification.

Fearing legal trouble, the complainant transferred Rs16.5 lakh across multiple accounts. After receiving vague responses when he asked for his money back, the professor realised he had been cheated and approached the cyber police to file a complaint. According to police officials, further investigation has been taken up.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Airport Receives Bomb Threat, Police Arrest 35-Year-Old Man

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Police have arrested a 35-year-old man who made a bomb threat call claiming that the Mumbai International Airport would be blown up by 2 PM today. The arrest was made by MIDC Police shortly after the threatening call was received by the Mumbai police control room.

The accused, identified as Manjeet Kumar Gautam, originally hails from Uttar Pradesh but currently resides in the Sakinaka area of Mumbai.

According to officials, Gautam called the police control room and warned, “I will blow up the Mumbai airport by 2 PM today.” The threat triggered immediate security protocols, with bomb detection squads and other security agencies placed on high alert at the airport.

The MIDC police acted swiftly to trace and apprehend the caller. Gautam is currently in custody, and police are investigating the motive behind the call. Initial findings suggest he acted alone.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai police crackdown on drug dealers in Govandi, 6 accused arrested in drug clean campaign, factory exposed

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Mumbai: Mumbai Police had launched a special campaign through the Drug-Free Govandi campaign in the Muslim-majority suburb of Mumbai, in line with which the Mumbai Police has arrested five drug peddlers and seized drugs worth over Rs 18 crore so far, as well as busting a drug factory. This claim was made by Mumbai Police Additional Commissioner Mahesh Patil in a press conference here today. He said that on March 19, RCF police arrested a drug peddler during a patrol and seized 45 grams of MD from his possession and he was arrested under the NDPS Act. During the investigation of this case, the team has succeeded in arresting five drug peddlers. These arrests have been made from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Along with this, 3 kg of MD has been recovered from the possession of the accused. During the investigation of the accused, it was revealed that there is a drug workshop in Karjat-Raigarh, Mumbai and drugs are manufactured here. During the raid, the police have seized more than 5 kg of MD and equipment used to manufacture drugs. So far, 6 accused have been arrested in the case of drug peddlers and drugs worth crores of rupees have also been seized. This operation was carried out by Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner (Administration) Satyanarayan Chaudhary and Govandi has been declared drug-free. This campaign was carried out through the campaign. DCP Navnath Dhole and Additional Commissioner Mahesh Patil have also intensified the anti-drug operation in the city for a drug-free Govandi.

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