Hijab Ban in Karnataka, India
By Krithika Dama
In schools across Karnataka, India, there has been a policy put in place a policy allowing for Muslim women’s hijabs to be banned. This ban would have a large impact on Muslim students being that it is an act of religious discrimination. As of now there are court hearings over such issues. This includes students who challenge the ban as it infringes on their religious freedom and right to education.
The protests began in early January after a university in Udupi, India banned Muslim students from wearing the hijab in class forms, claiming it was simply a school uniform issue.
Many schools followed in a similar matter and stated the ban was a matter of following the dress code. These protests have set up a national debate over religion and minority rights in India. Many Muslim student organizations according to The New York Times, have said that these policies meant suspending their faith.
This ban has been predicated on the basis of not associating religion in the classroom.
However, according to Bebaak Collective which is a advocacy group for Muslim women, religious statues are still present on school premises. The government has responded to such a ban by showing its support towards the school's decision. This government is also controlled and led by Prime Minister Modi.
When women showed up to school wearing a hijab, the school stated they were violating their school dress code. Other women had said they were marked absent in classes. And many were not allowed inside their schools. Another issue has arisen, with men showing up wearing saffron which is often worn by supporters of Hindu nationalism, who have begun showing up surrounding schools.
Although Secularism is a big part of India’s constitution, there have been many issues of the state and religion converging.
This has led to rises of discrimination in specific targeting Muslim communities. In addition, the Constitution protects religious freedom unless it interferes with morality, health, or public order. This is what the BJP of India is stating the hijab does.
Sources:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/muslim-women-india-protest-hijab-ban-rcna17038