"Every case you cannot file a PIL:" Supreme Court refuses to list plea for common dress code in schools along with hijab case

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to list a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the implementation of a common dress code in educational institutions across the country, in the context of the hijab case..While doing so, the Court told BJP spokesperson Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, who appeared for the petitioner, not to file PILs on every issue and to address his grievances before Parliament..Upadhyay sought urgent listing of the plea along with the Hijab petition. However, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said,"Every case you cannot file a PIL. How can you come like this always? Parliament is not functioning?"The Court also said that the hijab matter was filed a long time back, and refused to list the present matter along with the former..Upadhyay was arguing a plea filed through his son Nikhil, seeking a common dress code for staff and students in all registered and recognised educational institutions "in order to secure equality of status and social equality and to promote fraternity dignity unity national integration.".The petitioner also sought a direction to the Central government to constitute a Judicial Commission or an Expert Committee to suggest steps to inculcate the values of social economic justice and socialism, secularism and democracy and to promote fraternity, dignity, unity and national integration among students..Alternatively, being custodian of the Constitution and protector of fundamental rights, the Supreme Court may direct the Law Commission of India to prepare a report suggesting effective steps to secure social and economic equality and to promote fraternity, dignity, unity and national integration within three months, urged the petitioner.According to the plea, the cause of action accrued on February 10, 2022, when protests were held in several areas of the national capital against the hijab ban in Karnataka colleges. In this context it was submitted,"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."