The U.S. reacted to Karnataka’s ongoing Hijab Controversy. On Friday the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Rashad Hussain had commented that the hijab ban in educational institutions “violates religious freedom and stigmatizes and marginalizes women and girls”.
Previously, Rashad Hussain served as US special envoy under President Barack Obama to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Current Biden Administration has appointed him as the US envoy for International Religious Freedom (IRF).
Hussain had tweeted “Religious freedom includes the ability to choose one’s religious attire”. He also added that Karnataka should not determine permissibility of religious clothing.
After this, on Saturday India firmly responded to the comments passed by other countries regarding the hijab issue in Karnataka. The External Affairs official spokesman Arindam Bagchi stated ” A matter regarding dress code in some educational institutions in the state of Karnataka is under judicial examination by the honourable High Court of Karnataka”.
He very clearly mentioned that the Indian constitutional framework, mechanism, democratic ethos and polity, are the context in which issues are considered and resolved. Those who know our country would have a proper appreciation of these realities.
“Motivated comments on our internal issues are not welcome,” he added .
On Saturday in an interim order the High Court of Karnataka restrained students from wearing hijab, saffron shawls, religious flags or anything alike within the classroom.
The three judge bench stated that “whether wearing of hijab in the classroom is a part of essential religious practice of Islam in the light of constitutional guarantees, needs a deeper examination”
The case hearing in the court is scheduled to happen on Monday. However, from Monday till 19th February prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC have been imposed by Udupi district administration in the areas close to all high schools in Udupi.
The state government has decided to reopen Schools up to class 10th from 14th February, while holidays have been extended till 17th February to PU Colleges, colleges falling under the Department of Higher Education and Universities. These shall reopen as per the situation in the state.
