As the controversy over wearing ‘hijab’ on campus rages in Karnataka, Congress MP from Kerala, TN Prathapan on Monday raised the issue in Lok Sabha, saying the garment of the Muslim women is like “mangalsutra for Hindus, the crucifix of the Christians and turbans for the Sikhs”.
The ‘hijab’ (scarf) row in Karnataka intensified as some students sought to defy the government order mandating the uniform style of clothes. The matter will now be heard in the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday.
He demanded the Union education minister’s intervention in the matter.
“Girls are sitting outside classrooms and demanding their fundamental rights. For these girls, hijab is a part of their cultural and religious identity. It is like the mangalsutra for Hindus, crucifix for the Christians and turbans for the Sikhs,” Prathapan said during the Zero Hour.
I request the education minister to interfere in this issue to ensure the constitutional rights of these girls. That is real Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” he said.
He also said that there is a tendency of some people in this country that if they see a Sikh with a turban protesting against the government, they will “call him a Khalistani”. He said that if they see a person wearing a cross he will be “attacked”. “If they see a Muslim girl wearing hijab, they will stop them for getting education. Where are they taking our India? We cannot lose our diversity.
