The state president of the BJP, B. Y. Vijayendra, remarked that the Chief Minister’s decision to lift the ban on wearing hijabs in educational institutions raises concerns about the secular nature of our educational spaces.
Once again, a political debate has ignited in Karnataka regarding the wearing and non-wearing of hijabs in schools. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Friday the removal of the ban on wearing hijabs in schools, prompting a strong reaction from the BJP. They stated that the Chief Minister’s decision raises concerns about the ‘secular nature’ of our educational institutions.
Attire and dietary preferences are personal: It is noteworthy that Siddaramaiah, on Friday, disclosed that he considers attire and dietary preferences as personal choices and ordered the removal of the ban.
Dividing the youth on religious grounds: Responding to this, B. Y. Vijayendra, the state president of the BJP, commented on the social media platform ‘X,’ stating that the government is dividing the youth on religious grounds. He further expressed concern that the Chief Minister’s decision to lift the ban on wearing hijabs in educational institutions raises questions about the secular nature of our educational spaces.
Creating an inclusive educational environment is crucial: The legislator from Shikaripura emphasized, “By allowing religious attire in educational institutions, the Siddaramaiah government is promoting a divisive environment that could hinder inclusive education. It is essential to prioritize education over divisive practices and create an environment where students can focus on educators without the influence of religious practices.”
Dress code includes hijab: It is worth mentioning that Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country, and traditionalism is on the rise. Therefore, in Muslim-majority areas, hijabs have been made mandatory as part of the dress code for students in schools. Significantly, this rule applies to students of all religions. In East Java, after this incident, demands are being made to remove the accused teacher from her position.
Media reports suggest that similar incidents occurred in Indonesia in 2021, where students were penalized for not wearing hijabs correctly or not wearing them at all. With six major religions recognized in Indonesia, such incidents indicate a growing trend of religious intolerance in the country.
