Bengaluru :The Karnataka High Court created a record in the nation as more than 35lakh people witnessed its live hearing of Hijab case thtough its YouTube channel.
Since February 14, every afternoon the Karnataka High Court was hearing pleas against the hijab ban in high schools and colleges in the state. The hearings commenced at 2.30pm and completion of the court timing till 5pm.
The Karnataka High Court is among the very few High Courts in the country that live-streams its proceedings, and an unusual outcome is that thousands of people have been tuning in for the daily hearings, in what has turned into a national issue.
While most live-streamed court proceedings typically see a handful of attendees, many of them from the press, the hijab row is unexpectedly garnering lakhs of views from bystanders interested in the case.
At any given point in time during the course of the hearing, at least 10,000 to 20,000 people are watching the proceedings on the live stream. The number only increases after news reports on submissions and quotes from the hearing are shared on social media.
The live stream videos of other general hearings have about 3,000 to 4,000 views, while the hijab case hearings had a minimum of 1lakh and a maximum of 4 lakh total views everyday.
Many took to social media to appreciate the live streaming of proceedings, adding that it provides insight into how courts function.
The case is also getting unprecedented views as the hijab row has snowballed into a national issue.
The full bench of the Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice K Dixit and Justice JM Khazi is hearing a batch of petitions against the ban on hijabs, to address whether wearing the hijab is a fundamental right and whether it’s an essential religious practice.
