Several Muslim women student activists on Wednesday said uniforms should be inclusive of religious and social practices in a diverse country like India. They demanded that cases registered against those who participated in protests against the hijab ban be withdrawn.
Huma Masih, a student activist, in a press conference here said the hijab issue should have started a healthy debate on whether uniforms are inclusive.
"The hijab issue should have stirred a healthy discussion on the culture of uniforms. It should have started a discussion on whether uniforms are inclusive and democratic, but no one is talking about it," she said.Simra Ansari of Jamia Millia Islamia alleged that there are some people who do not want Muslim women to get education and are forcing them to choose between studies and their identity.
"Whenever Muslim women have come forward to talk about their rights, there are some people from a specific ideology who have had issues. This (the hijab ban) is a systematic way to stop Muslim women from getting educated by forcing them to choose between their studies and identity.” “Through this stage, I want to say that we will attain our right to get educated and also keep our identity. We will not choose," she said.Khalida Parveen, a social activist, said they were ''disappointed'' and ''angry'' over the court's decision.
"There is no guarantee that Muslim women, when they will go to a bank or some public place wearing a hijab, they will not be subjected to moral policing. If any untoward incident happens with them, who will be responsible? The Central Government talks about ''Beti Bachao' but the State Government goes against it," she said. In its 129-page order, the High Court has held that hijab is not an essential religious practice and upheld the Karnataka Government's order banning the use of any cloth on the campus that could disturb peace, harmony and public order.