New Delhi: Tension over headscarves & hijab in educational institutions of Karnataka has snowballed into a big controversy. The matter got increasingly polarised after some students wearing saffron scarves reached the college campus & indulged in slogan shouting, forcing the police & authorities to intervene in the matter.
The issue first began at a govt PU college in Udupi where 6 students attending classes in headscarves were asked to leave the campus. The matter escalated into a big controversy and has now spread to different parts of the state.
Now, all eyes on the Karnataka High Court which is hearing petitions filed by 5 girls against college administration prohibiting hijab in campuses.
A look at nations that banned hijab/headscarves:
France
France banned all kinds of face coverings in 2011, including the burqa. According to French law, wearing of face-covering headgear, niqabs & other veils covering the face are prohibited in public places. The ban created uproar as Islamic proponents called in an infringement on their freedom & beliefs while those advocating for it reasoned that face covering leads to grave security risks. In terms of freedom, they asserted that ‘forcing’ women to cover their faces was nothing less than sexist & oppressive.
Belgium
Belgium too, banned all kinds of face coverings including burqas in public in 2011. Those caught violating the guidelines can be imprisoned for 7 days. The European country is reportedly home to close to about a million Muslim population but the law is above their personal beliefs & customs.
Switzerland
Switzerland banned burqa in 2021, post a referendum in support of prohibition of facial coverings. The ban on veil & burqa was criticised by the Muslim community but the govt brought the reforms to beef up state’s security apparatus as miscreants don’t stand to chance to create nuisance while covering their face.
China
China banned the burqas, veils & ‘abnormal beards’ in 2017 and was mostly implemented in the Xinxiang province which is Muslim-dominated province. Chinese govt said that this was brought for clamping down on religious extremism.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka chose to impose ban on burqa & veils to address concerns of security challenges.
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