Kashmir school sparks row with hijab circular

A controversy broke out in Kashmir on Wednesday after it came to light that a school in Baramulla had issued a circular asking staff members to refrain from wearing the hijab during school hours.

The circular was issued on April 25 by principal of Dagger Parivaar school -- run by an NGO under the aegis of the army for specially-abled children.

Political parties hit out at the school over its circular on Wednesday while the school said the circular had been changed and staff members would be asked to refrain from wearing the niqab (face cover) in classrooms.

“The Dagger Parivaar School is a place to learn and grow emotionally and morally. As the staff of the school, the main purpose is to provide for the fullest possible development of each learner. For the same, the trust must be established with the students to make them feel welcome, safe & happy. The staff is hereby instructed to avoid hijab during school hours so that students can feel comfortable and are forthcoming to interact with teachers & staff,” the circular, signed by the principal, read.

The order led to an outrage across the UT with people saying it was along the lines of the Karnataka high court orders on the hijab. “I condemn this letter issuing diktats on hijab. J&K may be ruled by BJP but it’s certainly not like any other state where they bulldoze the houses of minorities & not allow them the freedom to dress as they want,” PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.

National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said it was an attempt to sow hatred in the UT.

A school representive said on condition of anonymity that the circular was the result of a miscommuncation. “It was a miscommunication and it has been blown out of proportion. We have modified the circular and restricted it for niqab (face coverings) in class rooms only, not hijab (covering head and body),” the official said.