New Delhi
More than 500 law students, legal experts, and lawyers have written an open letter on the issue of hijab. The letter condemns the ban on entry of the Hijab-wearing Muslim girls from entering educational institutions in Karnataka and some other parts of the country.
The letter says, the ban amounts to a violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitutional to the students.
Among the signatories of the letter are Anjana Prakash, ex-high Court Judge, Amar Saran, former High Court Judge, CS Dwarkanath, former Chairman, Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, Sanjay Parikh, and Meher Desai, senior Advocates.
The letter said, "We are equally concerned about the interim order of the Hon'ble Karnataka High Court, which barred students from wearing scarves, hijabs, irrespective of their religion."
"Following the court's interim order, we are witnessing public humiliation of Muslim students and staff who were allegedly forced to remove their hijab before entering schools and colleges on the instructions of the district administration," the letter reads.
“This disrespect for Muslim girls and women is inhumane, a public insult to the Constitution, and public humiliation of the entire community. We bow our heads in shame for failing to protect their basic right to life with dignity. " The letter added, "As members of the legal community, we know that identifying an issue is of paramount importance in understanding the rights at stake.”
It further said that the effect of the decision is to exclude Muslim women from education and aggravate the educational crisis in our country. It is not appropriate to prevent women from getting an education just because of the hijab. It is unconstitutional to impose absolute equality against the sovereignty, privacy, and dignity of Muslim women. On that basis, women have the right to wear the hijab, as well as the right not to wear the hijab. "
However, the current attack on the rights of Muslim women is not a new or isolated incident but should be seen as part of it. It is leading to sectarian polarization in Karnataka and across the country. The signatories have given their full and unconditional support to Muslim women in Karnataka who are fighting for their right to education and religious freedom.
.webp "Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the President of Ramakrishna Mission Swami Gautamananda Maharaj")
.webp "Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Usha Krishna")
