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J&K: 'Hijab row' in school run by Army resolved

Army says circular should have referred to niqab

Hijab Burqa niqab rep Representational image

The controversy over a circular by a school in Baramulla, which is run by the Indian Army, asking teachers to ‘avoid hijab during school hours’ has been resolved. The Army clarified the word hijab (which covers the head) had been written by mistake, instead of niqab (veil that covers the face except the eyes).

The circular had drawn parallels with the Karnataka hijab row.

“It happened by mistake. It is not hijab, but niqab,” defence spokesman Colonel Emron Musavi told THE WEEK. He said the school is being run for specially-abled children who have issues such as hearing disability.

“They have to teach phonetics using facial gestures. If a teacher is wearing a niqab, how would she teach, what would the children see?’’ he said. “That is why this order was passed.”

The circular on Monday, issued by the principal of Dagger Parivaar School, said, “Parivaar School is a place to learn and grow emotionally and morally. As the staff of school, the main purpose is to provide for the fullest possible development of each learner. For the same, the trust must be established with the students and make them feel welcome, safe and happy.”

It said the staff was instructed to avoid hijab during school hours, so that students can feel comfortable and are forthcoming to interact with teachers and staff.

The circular drew sharp reactions from the political leaders in Kashmir.

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said she condemns the ‘diktats on hijab’.

“J&K may be ruled by the BJP but it is certainly not like any other state where they bulldoze houses of minorities and not allow them the freedom to dress as they want,’’ she tweeted. “Our girls will not give up their right to choose.”

National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah, also weighed in on the issue. He said Jammu and Kashmir acceded to “India in which every religion is seen as equal”.

“This [circular] is wrong. In this country, everyone has a freedom to follow his religion,’’ he told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of youth leaders of the party in Srinagar. “The Constitution of our country records that we are a secular country. Secular country means every religion is equal.”

He said everyone has absolute freedom to decide what he or she wears. “I don’t think any government has a right to interfere in this,” he said.

On the controversies over loudspeakers and halal meat, he said, “We are being told that loudspeakers would not be allowed in mosques. Why not? If loudspeakers are being used at other places, why not in mosques. What is wrong in having five times azan in a day?” He said Jammu and Kashmir acceded to a secular India. “This is not the India J&K acceded to. We acceded to India where every religion is equal,” he said.

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