Keep religion out of schools, says actor Hema Malini on Karnataka hijab ban

A government-run high school in the Indian state of Karnataka issued a hijab ban on campus last month which then caught on to other schools in the district, causing an uproar. This led to intense protests by hijab proponents and opponents and the situation became so serious, that authorities issued an order for schools to shut down. The row hit its peak point when a hijabi woman Muskan stood up to the right-wing extremists and now the ongoing debate has a new addition — BJP MP Hema Malini has spoken on the matter, favouring the anti-hijab perspective.

The actor and politician said, "Schools are for education and religious matters should not be taken there. Every school has a uniform that should be respected. You can wear whatever you want outside the school."

It seems like Malini is trying to employ a secular viewpoint but netizens were quick to point out that students wear bindi [coloured dot worn on the forehead], turbans and crucifix necklaces and no one bats an eye. This primarily leads to the inference that this is discriminatory behaviour, targeting a specific group.

The main point here is that the hijab is not a fashion statement — it's a part of some Muslims' every day lives and to tell them to take it off in school translates into religious intolerance.

Several netizens were quick to oppose the BJP MP's comments.

Recently, a young woman named Muskan showed great courage against some right-wing extremists who were protesting against hijab at her college. The swarm of men wearing saffron scarves saw this burqa-clad woman and starting shouting "Jai Shri Ram" at her and making obscene signs to which she responded with equal sheerness, screaming "Allahu Akbar". The video of the exchange went viral on social media and Muskan's reaction won hearts all over Pakistan, it was even applauded by celebrities.