Guwahati: Amid the ongoing hijab controversy in Karnataka, the US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain on Friday said that “hijab bans in schools violate religious freedom and stigmatise and marginalise women and girls.”
While advocating for ‘religious freedom’, the US government official said that “Religious freedom includes the ability to choose one’s religious attire. The Indian state of Karnataka should not determine the permissibility of religious clothing.”
The Indian government is expected to reply forcefully to a statement made by a US official over the hijab row in Karnataka, which is currently being investigated by the high court.
The Karnataka High Court ordered the state government to reopen educational institutions and prohibited students from wearing saffron shawls, scarves, hijab, or any other religious garment in the classroom while hearing the petitions against the hijab ban.
Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, who is heading a three-judge bench said, “We want to make an interim order on the matter of hijab row. Peace has to return to the state. Schools and colleges must open soon. This is not the final order. Until the final order is given, students must attend the schools in uniform without a hijab or saffron shawls.”
Karnataka Police on Friday conducted flag marches in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Vijayapura, Dharwad, and Hubballi to ensure law and order amid tensions surrounding the hijab debate.
Basavaraj Bommai, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, has announced that high schools will resume on February 14 across the state.
The Supreme Court on Friday declined to hear the petitions challenging a high court order prohibiting students from wearing religious attire in educational institutions.
Chief Justice N V Ramana’s bench stated that it will defend every citizen’s fundamental right and will take up the subject at a “suitable moment.” It also stated that such issues should not “spread” at the “national level.”
The hijab dispute caused protests and violence in numerous regions of Karnataka earlier this week.