Muslim girls facing mental pressure, distress over hijab ban

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: The Congress government in Karnataka has made the decision to revoke the controversial hijab ban in the state, which had sparked a major dispute over a year ago. The ban, implemented by the Bharatiya Janata Party government, was criticised as a divisive move with communal undertones.

During the election campaign, the Congress party, particularly Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, strongly voiced the intention to reverse the hijab ban and any other laws introduced by the previous BJP government based on communal grounds. The hijab row caused major mental pressure on students.

Here’s what the students opine: Tabassum Sheikh, an 18-year-old student, who emerged as the state topper in the Arts stream in the recently announced PU II results. Alongside her achievement, Tabassum candidly shared with the media the mental pressure she endured due to her choice of wearing a hijab to class.

Despite facing such challenges, she emphasised that her education held greater importance to her and that she prioritised her studies over the hijab. She chose to follow the ban and attend school and prioritise her studies. Tabassum believed that by excelling in education, she could work towards preventing such "injustices" from recurring. Another student from Bengaluru also expressed her joy upon hearing about the revocation of the hijab ban. She strongly asserted that wearing a hijab had nothing to do with oppression.

Although she personally did not face bullying, she admitted to feeling fearful about venturing out wearing a hijab due to concerns about potential bullying. She pointed out the irony that those who had issues with hijab were often the same individuals who criticised ribbed jeans and skirts.

For Muslim girls who choose to wear the hijab as part of their religious or cultural identity, the ban on wearing it in educational institutions was distressing and caused mental pressure. The hijab holds a religious and personal meaning for Muslim women, and being denied the right to express their faith through their attire can lead to feelings of marginalisation and discrimination.

The decision by the Congress government in Karnataka to revoke the hijab ban can be seen as a positive step towards respecting religious freedom and promoting inclusivity. By repealing this ban, the government acknowledges the importance of allowing individuals to express their religious beliefs while pursuing education. This reversal of the ban may help alleviate the mental pressure that Muslim girls may have experienced during the time when the ban was in place.

The Karnataka hijab row initially began when school and college girls were barred from entering educational institutions while wearing a hijab, as it was said to violate the school dress code. This led to widespread protests by hijab-wearing students who refused to attend classes without their headscarves. These students are still awaiting the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the matter