There are more pressing issues than hijab row
I LIKE religious debate. It is such a contentious topic but I’ve been hesitant about entering the hijab row.
Religion is an emotional and sensitive topic, and it has been the cause of many wars.
There’s always the danger that you may say something that may hurt or offend your fellow human beings. But when I read all the views of POST letter writers on this topic, I am tempted to add my views, however warped and distorted they may be.
Some like Sanu Singh were objective in their views. But, by and large, the views lacked objectivity and were divided along religious lines, which is not surprising. It’s only natural for a Muslim or Hindu to defend his or her religion.
Three clear principles have emerged in the hijab row: religious tolerance, the rights of an individual in a democratic society, and the rules of an institution.
These three pillars of democracy need to be balanced and observed so that one does not impinge on the other.
Firstly, one should be free to believe and practise whatever faith one belongs to without fear or prejudice. But the overriding factor in a democracy is that freedom is limited. It is not absolute. It must be exercised within the bounds of the law, democratic principles and values.
The second principle is the rights of an individual. Though it is paramount in a democratic society, it also has certain limitations. You cannot behave as you like. You have to obey the law and the rules of society.
The third one brings to mind an important principle, which some of us often forget: When in Rome do as the Romans do. A woman cannot go to Riyadh and show her body on the streets. The same principle applies to institutions of worship and learning. You cannot go to a mosque scantily clad or walk with your shoes into a temple.
Likewise, educational institutions also have their own rules. One of them is the dress code.
Pupils have to respect the school’s dress code. Full stop. It’s one of the ways of maintaining discipline in schools.
I am surprised that Muslim girls in Karnataka are being so rebellious. Are they being manipulated by some religious fanatic with a hidden agenda to stir up trouble and polarise the nation?
Doesn’t the world have enough problems, like climate change, pollution and the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and Ukraine? And is the hijab a life-and-death issue? It’s a storm in teacup. There are more pressing issues confronting mankind than blowing one’s top off over the hijab.