Hijab in Schools

Indian Court Upholds Ban on Hijabs in Schools

This column first appeared in The New York Times on March 15, 2022.

The Karnataka High Court recently upheld a state government order prohibiting Muslim girls from wearing hijab in schools, asserting that the hijab is not an essential religious practice under Islam. This ruling has sparked widespread debate in India, a nation increasingly polarized along religious lines, and is likely to heighten tensions among its diverse communities.

The issue arose in September when a college in Udupi, Karnataka, barred Muslim students from attending classes in hijab in schools. Historically, the wearing of headscarves had not posed any problems, according to petitioners challenging the ban. However, the school’s decision, later supported by the state government, ignited unrest that spread to other schools across the state. Protests and counter-protests escalated, with some Muslim students defying the ban, only to be met by groups of boys wearing saffron shawls—a symbol associated with Hinduism—chanting slogans like “Hail Lord Ram.” The rising tensions forced the government to temporarily shut down schools.

Proponents of the ban claim it enforces uniformity in educational institutions and prevents religious symbols from disrupting secular spaces. However, opponents contend that such policies disproportionately target minority communities, further deepening societal divides.

The court’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from activists and international observers who view it as a step backward for religious pluralism in India. They highlight how the ban disproportionately affects Muslim girls, restricting their access to education and violating their personal freedoms.

As protests and debates continue, the hijab issue underscores the challenges India faces in balancing constitutional guarantees of religious freedom with its commitment to secularism. For many, the decision represents not just a legal matter but a test of India’s values as a multicultural democracy. How the country navigates these tensions will likely have profound implications for its social fabric and global image…

Read more: The New York Times

Find more Global Indian Top Reads

Share with