I must be living in another world. That is how it seems to me right now. The Hijab row has taken place for no reason in India.
I never felt it wasn’t the ‘True India’ before. Until now. It is growingly insane to witness the ‘Political Dispensation’ happening around the country right now.
What I’m talking about here?
You guessed it right. I’m talking about the ongoing ‘Hijab Row‘ that is taking place in Karnataka. It is unwanted and unnecessary initiated by the state government of Karnataka.
This situation has caused unwanted disruption to all the young Muslim girl’s education and personal growth. Their peace has been shattered thanks to the arbitrary implementation of ‘Wearing Uniform’ to the schools and colleges even though some girls insisted that they wanted to wear the ‘Hijab’
In any democratic country, it is a fundamental right for citizens to wear the kind of clothing they want, even if it is far beyond tradition. It is unacceptable for the ‘Political Establishments‘ to deny our freedom by bringing in an ‘Arbitrary Ban’ on wearing a particular type of dress, as in this case the ‘Hijab’
I was always skeptical of the BJP government coming to power in 2014 with an absolute majority. The current prime minister, Modi, might have quoted saying that his government will function based on ‘Sabkha Saat, Sabkha Vikas,’ which means that it is ‘Government For All, Development For All.’
Back then, it sounded promising. But today, it all the more rings ‘Alarm Bell’ on my mind as for other ‘Moderate and Liberal Indian’ it seems our democracy is going downhill. It is never a good thing under any circumstances for any government to impose its will on citizens of a democratic country.
A government ruling a country under a ‘Majoritarianism Mindset’ means setting up dangerous precedence. It could mean that the country is getting one step closer to losing its ‘Democracy Tag.’ Voting rights guarantee alone does not mean the country is democratic. For any country to be a True Democracy, the ruling government should not impose any unnecessary restrictions on the following rights:
dress habits of people, what kind of movies they can watch, the culture that they want to follow, eating habits, lifestyle, religious practice, and of course, the right to freedom of speech and expression.
Unfortunately, we see a step-by-step process from this government in discriminating minorities in India by either labeling them as ‘Anti Nationals or Terrorists or Pakistanis or the most used so-called Thukde Thukde Gang.’ The last label is in sync with the current government as it believes in maligning minority communities, mainly Muslims.
How did it all start?
Last December, a few Muslim schoolgirls from Udupi, a district in North Karnataka, were asked not to wear the ‘Hijab’ by their headmasters and enter the school. Rightfully, these girls should refuse to remove the Hijab because it is their fundamental right.
Never in my wildest dream, I ever thought that a state government of my beloved state of Karnataka would ever dare to bring a rule that would oppose Muslim girls wearing a ‘Hijab’ to school.
Why stop their dreams of just wearing their religious dressings, just like how we Hindus expect to wear traditional clothing.
To me, if we were to call our India to remain a ‘Democracy’, then in this very instance, the BJP government should accept the fact that it should not govern the country in a majoritarian way.
If the state authorities either delay taking actions against goons attacking the minorities or say slogans that bring hate towards a community, then it is a sign that the rule of law is dying. So, all the Hindu moderates should stand up for the rights of their fellow Muslim Indians by demanding both center and state governments to withdraw any controversial bills such as CAA, Anti-Conversion, and any other such laws that are against the minorities.
Most of the central government supporters and their leaders argue that all the Islamic nations are strict with the dress code that they don’t allow Non-Muslim women to wear any other type of dress other than Hijab in their countries.
So are these countries considered as a promoter of human rights and freedom? Nope. They are not.
That is why I feel India should project itself as a country where people enjoy religious and other types of freedom within the framework of the constitution. Even if certain religious groups misuse their freedom, the affected people can move to court. And the government authorities can file a case against the accused.
For example, if a government feels that there is a forced conversion taking place, then they should approach the court and file a case.
But a ‘Democratic Government’ is morally wrong to pass a law in the parliament to prohibit any people from ‘Willfully Converting’ to another religion. Even if the government might have the absolute majority, it is all but reasonable for them to bring all the citizens of India into confidence by having a debate on this issue. And also to encourage more conversations with the religious, constitutional, political, and other intellectuals.
What has to happen?
At the moment, the case is hanging in the Karnataka High Court. The court has sent the interim order. It states that all the students of any community should wear only the uniform for another month. Until the hearing and the final verdicts are passed by the court.
I feel the Supreme Court should take up the case and pass the verdict immediately, in favor of wearing a Hijab. Any further delay will only create more problems for all the Muslim girls seeking education. Students are already trying to overcome the COVID-I9 saga. And to top it all, the Karnataka Government is creating this unnecessary dilemma which is unacceptable.
There should be equality for all.
It is terrible to see the Hindu fanatic boys bullying a Muslim girl entering the school gate to collect documents. Here is the link to the video that has given a wrong impression about India under the current regime.
This story has already given a bad picture of our country. The Soul of the Nation that is ‘Secularism’ should be restored. Whether this government understands that or otherwise, bullying against Muslim girls should stop.
Wearing Hijab is their right!
Do you all feel the same way?
I leave it to you readers to decide what is better for Indian Democracy.