Photo by [Al Jazeera]
In India, the high court has upheld the ruling prohibiting wearing headscarves at educational institutions in the Udupi district in Karnataka.
The high court ruled, the hijab is not essential to the Islamic faith. Therefore, it is not a requirement, and students should comply with a uniform dress code.
Karnataka is ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Muslim views, “The BJP’s stated aim is to marginalise all minorities and to promote the philosophy of Hindutva, which has, at its core, an exclusive Hindu majority agenda. This philosophy of Hindutva is being practised in such a way by the BJP that it has become highly intolerant of any other faiths or beliefs that have existed in India for centuries.”
The Hijab issue in India is following a prevailing global trend, with a similar draft law currently in process in Switzerland.
SMread: A £900 Fine Will Be Given to Anyone Wearing Niqab in Switzerland
The Supreme Court
In addition, the matter was brought to and addressed by two judges of the supreme court in India, who are split on the decision to ban hijabs in schools within the district.
The first judge supported the ban in the name of equality and uniformity and encouraged a secular classroom environment. The second judge ruled that wearing the hijab is a matter of choice and a fundamental right linked to dignity and privacy.
According to Dr Faisal Suliman, the chairperson of SAMNET, “The BDJ is day by day eroding the secular nature of what the founding fathers of modern post-independent India wanted”.
He highlights the influence that societal and political pressure can have on the court and fears that later hearings might tilt the verdict in favour of the right-wing elements In India.
Social Media Activism
Dr Suliman urges the South African public to use social media and actively engage with issues that Muslims face on a global scale.
He mentioned a double standard prevailing in social media when it comes to issues in the western world and the Muslim world.
He said that the only way to counteract the hypocrisy of mainstream news is for everyday social media users to respectfully engage and be a mouthpiece for current events, to question political agendas and ensure the same solidarity shown to Iranian women is directed to the women in India.
Dr Suliman said, “We’re asking our communities and our public … To take to social media to show up these politicians, starlets … And to show up this hypocrisy. “
