Protests over the hijab matter   |  Photo Credit: PTI
Islamabad: Pakistan Wednesday waded into the hijab row that has engulfed the state of Karnataka amid the ban on wearing religious clothes in classrooms at schools and colleges.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi alleged that India was violating Muslim girls’ fundamental right by denying them the opportunity to wear hijab in educational institutions. Qureshi called the move oppressive and alleged Muslim girls were being terrorised. He did not stop here and said the ban on wearing a hijab was part of India’s plan of ghettoisation of Muslims.
Here is what the Pakistani minister tweeted today:
“Depriving Muslim girls of an education is a grave violation of fundamental human rights. To deny anyone this fundamental right & terrorise them for wearing a hijab is absolutely oppressive. World must realise this is part of Indian state plan of ghettoisation of Muslims.”
It may be recalled that the BJP government in Karnataka had last week ordered a ban on wearing clothes that disturb equality, integrity and public order in schools and colleges. The move had come after a college in Udupi had prevented girl students from attending classes while wearing hijab. The row has now spread across the state and the state high court is seized of the matter, with a ruling expected today.
The Karnataka government Tuesday ordered the closure of schools and colleges across the state in view of the volatile situation following standoffs between hijab-wearing girl students and saffron symbol displaying boys.
Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai yesterday issued an appeal to the students.
“I appeal to all the students, teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of Karnataka to maintain peace and harmony. I have ordered closure of all high schools and colleges for next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate,” he tweeted.
State Revenue Minister R Ashoka today said the state government was not in favour of allowing either hijab or saffron in classrooms.
“The government is not in favour of either hijab or kesari. Students can wear whatever they want on the streets, but dress code is compulsory in schools. We closed schools and colleges as a precautionary measure for students’ safety,” the minister stated.