A three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court on Thursday refused to grant interim relief to petitioners seeking admission into classrooms wearing hijab in colleges and adjourned hearing on the hijab row to Monday.

“We are ready to decide the issue at the earliest. But we feel that peace and tranquility should be restored… You should not insist on wearing these religious clothes which are not conducive.”

Karnataka Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi said. Counsel for petitioners Devdatt Kamat objected saying it will amount to suspension of the students’ rights.

The Chief Justice replied that it was a matter of a few days and he needed to cooperate with the court.

“We will restrain everyone from adopting religious practices while we are hearing the case.”

During the hearing, Justice Awasthi overruled Kamat’s plea by saying the bench feels that the stage was over as the issues have been referred to the larger bench by the single bench.

“The single judge (Justice Krishna S Dixit) has already said the matter involves important constitutional issues,” he said.

The court will resume the hearing on Monday.