I think institutions have their dress code. It is not only armed forces alone or police forces. Mandir, masjid, gurdwara, shrines, madarsa, etc., they all have their prescriptions what to put on head, whether to have shoes on, what to offer and which way to the god or deity, etc. In some temples of Kerala, male devotees have to wear dhoti only and go bare chest. Medical and legal professions--judges and advocates, have also their dress code. I saw in Patha Bhawan (in Vishwa Bharati, Shantiniketan), young girls putting on sarees but modern school systems, including Kendriya Vidyalaya or Navodaya Vidyalaya, have not permitted. Only western dresses are prescribed. Yet, there is no movement against western dresses. It makes sense to follow the prescribed code. (Yes, in USA, people have right to bear arms but in India. It was in the context that certain exceptions were made in the Constitution itself for Sikhs in certain matters.
This is a simple observation. When gender equality was sought in Shani Singlapur or Sabrimala, I was in favour as progressive leadership in yesteryears was for entry of dalits into temples or use of wells. So long State is not forcing any school or any school system for any particular dress code, I am in favour.
Hindutva, it is just an instrument to polarise the majority community for vote, will invent ways and means to manifest. It would have been something else if 'Hijab' hadn't come way of RSS and BJP. Therefore, around every elections, the Right Brigade would invent something if it doesn't get in its hunts to achieve its ends.
If this lot doesn't get its Opium, it would find some other opiate!
Looking at the big picture, I feel supporters of hijab have walked into a trap. Whichever way this particular row goes, it will end up strengthening Hindutva. This is the perfect muslim identity issue the Sangh craves for to win elections despite misery in the economy and jobs. Analogy to shah bano case in terms of how it proved to be a fantastic recruitment tool for Hindutva seems valid. I am afraid, this just pushed peak Hindutva by a few more years.
This seems to be a deliberate attempt to snatch the basic human rights of muslim girls and to further marginalize the Muslim community. A very disgraceful act
The world over people have realised the power of education to transform their lives materially and also socially. Indians too have embraced education and our constitution has placed universal literacy among it’s important objectives. Education has trumped many other age old religious practices.
It’s a travesty of progressive behaviour to claim that education will not be available and will be discriminated based on how one dresses.This is more regressive and anti constitutional than the so called regressive dressing being attacked.
In fact the mob behaviour suggests that there is much sense in being covered up in this country and the out come and calumny would have been more had this student not been covered.
As an aside it would very inspiring to see how she fared in the coming years in the world.
A food for thought article. Now Karnatka is south India's Gujarath.
education is what is inside the head not what's on it! A well articulated article!
I think institutions have their dress code. It is not only armed forces alone or police forces. Mandir, masjid, gurdwara, shrines, madarsa, etc., they all have their prescriptions what to put on head, whether to have shoes on, what to offer and which way to the god or deity, etc. In some temples of Kerala, male devotees have to wear dhoti only and go bare chest. Medical and legal professions--judges and advocates, have also their dress code. I saw in Patha Bhawan (in Vishwa Bharati, Shantiniketan), young girls putting on sarees but modern school systems, including Kendriya Vidyalaya or Navodaya Vidyalaya, have not permitted. Only western dresses are prescribed. Yet, there is no movement against western dresses. It makes sense to follow the prescribed code. (Yes, in USA, people have right to bear arms but in India. It was in the context that certain exceptions were made in the Constitution itself for Sikhs in certain matters.
This is a simple observation. When gender equality was sought in Shani Singlapur or Sabrimala, I was in favour as progressive leadership in yesteryears was for entry of dalits into temples or use of wells. So long State is not forcing any school or any school system for any particular dress code, I am in favour.
Hindutva, it is just an instrument to polarise the majority community for vote, will invent ways and means to manifest. It would have been something else if 'Hijab' hadn't come way of RSS and BJP. Therefore, around every elections, the Right Brigade would invent something if it doesn't get in its hunts to achieve its ends.
If this lot doesn't get its Opium, it would find some other opiate!
Looking at the big picture, I feel supporters of hijab have walked into a trap. Whichever way this particular row goes, it will end up strengthening Hindutva. This is the perfect muslim identity issue the Sangh craves for to win elections despite misery in the economy and jobs. Analogy to shah bano case in terms of how it proved to be a fantastic recruitment tool for Hindutva seems valid. I am afraid, this just pushed peak Hindutva by a few more years.
This seems to be a deliberate attempt to snatch the basic human rights of muslim girls and to further marginalize the Muslim community. A very disgraceful act
The world over people have realised the power of education to transform their lives materially and also socially. Indians too have embraced education and our constitution has placed universal literacy among it’s important objectives. Education has trumped many other age old religious practices.
It’s a travesty of progressive behaviour to claim that education will not be available and will be discriminated based on how one dresses.This is more regressive and anti constitutional than the so called regressive dressing being attacked.
In fact the mob behaviour suggests that there is much sense in being covered up in this country and the out come and calumny would have been more had this student not been covered.
As an aside it would very inspiring to see how she fared in the coming years in the world.