Background
Hijab is an Arabic word which means covering (women), Quran has referred the garment to cover women in two places as follows : 33:59 Jalaabee , 24:31 Khumur. Different cultures have adopted it in different ways, although connected to Muslims, it's followed in various communities like Christian nuns who cover themselves in churches and schools and public places, Indian rural women cover their heads using end of saree called "pullo" and piece of cloth called "dupatta", regardless of their faith.
In Muslim women it has religious dimension, as Quran advises them to cover head and chest, hide their beauty when outside home (refer Quran 24:31,33:59). Depending on the culture, Muslim women wear different attires to meet this obligation like full coat call "Abaya" or just head and chest cover using scarf or full face cover called "niqab", "burqa" etc. Moreover, prophet Muhammad's wives wore hijab, and they are a role model for Muslim women. However, many Muslim women do not follow all the advises given in Quran, or follow it loosely.
Hijab Ban in India
The current uproar on hijab in India started in schools in one of its province, Karnataka. Conflicting news in media claimed that some muslim girls were stopped by school staff from entering school for wearing hijab, as it was against the school uniform. One viral video showed that a lone Muslim girl named Miskan was harassed by a mob of boys wearing traditional Hindu neck cover called "shawl" who shouted Hindu religious slogan, in response Miskan shouted Islamic slogan, the school principal protected her from the mob and escorted her inside the school. So apparently the ban on hijab was being enforced by the mob and not school staff.
Currently, Indian high court is hearing this case and will decide if Muslim girls will be allowed to enter the classroom in hijab or not.
Hijab Debate Facts & Fictions
Fiction : Hijab is oppressing Muslim women
Fact: It's a choice which many Muslim women make on their own even in western societies, and they carry it during their professions without any coercion, in fact they wear it despite occasional discrimination faced.
Fiction : Hijab is not an integral part of Islam
Fact: Hijab is advised in Quran and observed by prophet Muhammed's wives. It is practiced in Muslim communities all over the world for centuries. Argument that it's optional because many Muslim women do not observe it is like saying prayers is optional as many Muslim do not pray.
Fiction: Hijab is a behavior not a piece of cloth
Fact : Although modesty in behavior alongside hijab is strongly advised in Quran, but hijab as a wearable had been identity of Muslim women and even used as a symbol of their fashion.
Fiction: Hijab conflicts with organizational uniform
Facts: Many institutions all over the world have accommodated hijab in their uniform, like world sports organization of FIFA, Basketball. In many western countries police have allowed hijab wearing women officers in uniform, Even airlines allowed Muslim women wearing hijab as pilot and hostesses. School uniforms can go hand in hand with hijab as shown by Indian school girls in many videos where they are wearing matching hijab with uniform. In fact many indian school uniforms include scarf termed as dupatta, dispute is in its use as hijab.
Long term implications of hijab ban in India
This issue has deepened the rift in two big religious communities in India, i.e. Hindus and Muslims. After division on demolishing of Babri Masjid, hijab issue will not help in healing the wounds. Extreme political parties will benefit by flaring such matters and strengthening their vote bank based on hatred.
Indian court should follow the worldwide examples where hijab wearing women were allowed in walk of life as pilot in airlines, as players in sports, as officers in police and even as judges in the courts along, with their uniforms.
Ban on hijab will only force some Muslim girls to stay away from school, something which a civilized society would not support. That is why even Nobel Prize winner Malala has protested the hijab ban in Indian schools.
Finally, religious freedom is a universal human right and suppressing such rights give rise to alienation and hate, which feeds only extremism in society.
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