Protest and Solidarity in Kashmir Over Hijab Row in Karnataka

Srinagar: A group of Abaya-clad women turned up at the entrance of University of Kashmir in Srinagar on Monday to offer flowers to students wearing hijab after the controversy over head scarves worn by Muslim women in Karnataka.

The women, mostly young, offered bouquets of flowers to female students at the university’s Sir Syed Gate as part of their solidarity with women, who have been targeted for wearing the hijab.

“We are educated people and all of us have to understand that we are being targeted for our identity. Islam has provided us with real emancipation and hijab is good for us,” a protester was quoted as saying.

Another young protester said that they would continue to wear Hijab despite opposition and claimed that others should also continue to adhere to it as has been ordained by religious commandments.

“We have the right to wear hijab. It is our right, our identity and it should not be taken away from us. We also reject the celebration of valentine day,” the protester said.

Monday’s act of solidarity by the women outside the KU campus comes close on the heels of protest held in Kashmir valley in Budgam and Shopian districts where several women students held solidarity rallies with students in Karnataka, where the issue of hijab has taken a serious turn over the last month.

A video of a student had gone viral on social media after she chanted Allah u Akbar (God is great) in front of scores of Hindu vigilantes, who appear to be heckling her. The mob, wearing saffron scarves, was heard chanting Jai Shri Ram (Victory to Lord Ram) following which the college authorities intervened to escort the Muslim student.

Several people in the Muslim majority Kashmir have condemning the act, terming it as an “intrusion” in religious freedom.

“Harassing a Muslim girl in broad daylight without fear of any repercussion shows such goons enjoy patronage from those in power. Such incidents shouldn’t be seen in isolation as BJP hopes that it helps to polarise in UP elections,” former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted following the incident.

The incident comes at a time when schools in Kashmir are opening for the first time in nearly three years after back to back lockdowns in the region. Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir first imposed a strict lockdown in August 2019 after the region’s so-called special status was removed with the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A and the erstwhile state was downsized into two separate Union territories.

When the situation seemed to improve, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of schools for two more years, keeping children away from schools for most of the time even. The situation for students in Kashmir was even more difficult due to internet shutdown and lower speed internet for months during the lockdown that has affected the studies significantly, according to parents.

The parents are seeing the reopening of schools as a relief, however, they are apprehensive in the wake of a controversy like the hijab row, issues that have a history of snowballing in a volatile place like Kashmir.

“Our children are returning to schools after very long time. I hope such issues are not raked here as that can again turn the situation to worse,” a mother of two said.