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.

Mumbai: The Mumbai Metro 3 project, an ambitious infrastructure venture, has reached a significant milestone with 97% of the work on its first phase, connecting Seepz to the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), now complete. The update, shared by Metro 3 officials on the project’s official social media handle on X (formerly Twitter), stated that the final stages of testing are underway.

The post further provided details that inspections of all stations within Phase 1 had been carried out by the Fire Brigade department of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). Electrical systems and other crucial infrastructure components are also in their final testing stages.

Mumbai Metro 3 Shares Update On Progress

The Mumbai Metro 3 post on X stated, “Total 97% work of Phase 1 of Metro 3 is completed. Inspections of all stations under phase 1 have been done by the Fire Brigade department of MCGM. The testing of electrical and all other systems is in the final stage. By next week MMRC will submit an application to invite the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) who will check various safety aspects of metro systems. Stay tuned!”

Project Planned To Be Flagged Off In July

Initially, the first phase of the Metro 3 project was scheduled to commence operations on July 24. However, due to pending safety checks and certification approvals, the launch of this vital transportation link has been delayed. Contrary to reports suggesting that the Metro 3 operations would begin soon, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) has not yet finalised the date for Phase 1 of the Aqua Line to become operational.

According to recent updates from the Free Press Journal, MMRCL is still awaiting necessary certifications before beginning operations. Phase 1 of Metro 3, which runs between Aarey Colony and BKC, will commence once all approvals have been secured. Ultimately, the Aqua Line will serve a route stretching from Colaba to SEEPZ, enhancing Mumbai’s public transportation network.

Exact Date Of Inauguration Yet To be Finalised

A senior MMRCL official confirmed that the exact date for the commencement of Metro 3 operations has yet to be determined. The inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) remains pending and the launch date will only be set once the CMRS gives the green light. The official hinted that MMRCL might invite the CMRS for inspection within the month.

Further insights from the official revealed that 99% of the civil work has been completed, with metro station construction at 97% and tunneling work fully accomplished. Overall system work is 77.6% complete, civil works at the depot are 99.8% finished, and mainline track work is 87% complete.

About Mumbai Metro 3 Project

Metro 3, spanning a 33.5-kilometer underground corridor along the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ route, features 27 stations, of which 26 are underground and one is at grade. The project requires multiple clearances, including from the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the Independent Safety Assessor (ISA), and the CMRS. The RDSO has completed its inspection, and the ISA’s inspection is ongoing.

MMRCL currently has a fleet of 19 rakes, which is sufficient to operate Phase 1 of the metro. Once operational, the Aqua Line is expected to offer 260 services daily, accommodating approximately 1.7 million passengers. MMRCL is also focusing on integrating multi-modal connectivity at stations, which includes connections to other public transport modes, improved footpaths, seating arrangements and foot over bridges to enhance last-mile connectivity.

Mumbai: Mumbai Airport Customs in 14 cases during July 28 and August 07, have seized over 4.66 Kg Gold & Electronic goods valued at Rs 4 crore. The gold was found concealed in various forms like gold dust in wax, crude jewellery, gold bars in an ingenious way inside, between two layers of clothes, inside the speakers, in the body, and on the body of passengers.

According to the Customs, one Indian passenger, a resident of Surat, Gujarat who travelled by flight from Dubai to Mumbai was intercepted and four crude gold bracelets having net weight 974 grams was found concealed on the body of passenger, who was later arrested.

“Twelve Indians, travelling from Dubai (07), Abu Dhabi (02), Doha (01) and Sharjah (02) were intercepted and found carrying gold dust, gold jewellery and electronics items having total net weight of 3182 grams was found concealed between two layers of clothes, in baggage and in the body,” said a Customs official.

He added, “One foreign national, travelling from Kuala Lumpur was intercepted and found carrying a crude gold bracelet and a gold chain having total net weight 504 grams was found concealed on the body of passenger.”