In recent incidents in Karnataka - Muslim girls wearing hijab have been denied entry in to schools and colleges- under the pretext that they are allowed to only wear uniforms in places of education and as such a hijab should not be worn. They have taken the argument further and equated wearing a hijab to a school or college - as practising their religion in a place of study. India is a deeply religious society but we are also a tolerant society and have always allowed various and often contradictory ideas to co-exist. But incidents such as these make me lose hope. How can we deny girls their basic right to education and quash their chances of a better life on the basis of a non-issue? Why have we become so mistrusting as a society? 

Wearing a hijab or not should remain a personal choice of every Muslim woman - and it is not the business of the state to interfere. And to argue that it would in any way disrupt or threaten the harmony of a classroom is just ludicrous. Lets face it - this is coming from a primarily fundamentalist world view.

Please sign this petition and help raise awareness as it is important that people who value the plurality of India should speak up and make their voice heard against such blatant discrimination and marginalisation of the minority community. As a woman and as a Hindu, I believe it is time for me to end my silence and stand in solidarity with these girls who have been treated unfairly. 

Recent media coverage on the issue is below :

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60256262

https://www.news9live.com/state/karnataka/institutions-can-prescribe-uniforms-karnataka-education-minister-on-hijab-row-151565