The Muslim women's rights organisation which spearheaded the movement against triple talaq in the country, the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), on Tuesday said it agreed with the Karnataka High Court order that hijab was not an essential practice in Islam, but asserted that those wearing it must not be barred from schools and colleges. Other prominent women's rights groups have, however, outrightly rejected the court's decision for being discriminatory.
"The Karnataka High Court has reiterated that hijab is not an essential practice of Islam. We also believe that there is no place for hijab or burqa or veil in religion. It is a patriarchal imposition meant to control women," the BMMA said in a press statement. However, it added, "education is of utmost importance for girls. Only empowered and educated girls can lead the community and the country forward. Girls should be in schools, colleges, university & workspaces irrespective of hijab."
A joint statement issued by the women's wing of the CPM, the All India Democratic Women's Association, along with a few other leading women's rights organisations such as Saheli Women's Resource Centre, National Federation of Indian Women, Forum Against Oppression of Women, urged that the Supreme Court must stay the Karnataka High Court order as it will lead to exclusion of girls from education.
