Hijab row: AIMIM Chief Owaisi disagrees with Karnataka HC verdict
Hyderabad: All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen Chief Asaduddin Owaisi said he disagreed with the Karnataka High Court’s judgement on upholding the hijab ban in schools and colleges.
Owaisi said in a tweet, "I disagree with Karnataka High Court's judgement on hijab. It’s my right to disagree with the judgement, and I hope that the petitioners appeal before the Supreme Court. I also hope that not only All India Muslim Personal Law Board (0AIMPLB) officials but also organisations of other religious groups appeal this judgement as it has suspended fundamental rights to freedom of religion, culture, freedom of speech and expression".
He further said "Preamble to the Constitution says that one has the liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship. If it is my belief and faith that covering my head is essential then I have a right to express it as I deem fit. For a devout Muslim, hijab is also an act of worship".
He said that the essentiality of religion differs from person to person. "It’s time to review the essential religious practice test. For a devout person, everything is essential and for an atheist nothing is essential. For a devout Hindu Brahmin, janeu is essential but for a non-Brahmin, it may not be. It is absurd that judges can decide essentiality".
"Not even other people of the same religion have the right to decide essentiality. It is between the individual and God. The state should be allowed to interfere in religious rights only if such acts of worship harm others. Headscarf does not harm anyone," he said.
The Hyderabad MP said that banning the headscarf prevents Muslim women from accessing education.
He also questioned the Modi government’s bigotry. He said, "When Ireland’s government changed the rules for police uniform to allow hijab and Sikh turban, Modi govt welcomed it. So why double standards at home and abroad? Hijab and turbans of the uniform’s colours can allow to be worn."
He charged that the government created the problem, and students wearing hijab were harassed and even banned from writing exams. That was a mass violation of human rights.
He said the High Court order has forced children to chose between education and Allah’s commands. He said, "One religion has been targeted and its religious practice has been banned. Article 15 prohibits discrimination based on religion. Is this not a violation of the same? In short, the HC order has forced kids to choose between education and Allah’s commands.
The Hyderabad MP, who is also a law graduate, said that "For Muslims, it’s Allah’s command to be educated while also following his strictures (salah, hijab, roza). Now the government is forcing girls to choose. So far, the judiciary has declared masjids, keeping a beard and now hijab as non-essential. What is left of free expression of beliefs?
Owaisi expressed concern that this judgement should not be used to legitimise the harassment of hijab-wearing women. He said these responses were based on the oral order dictated in the courtroom and more detailed responses could be given when the full judgement is made available.
