India’s Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Abubakar Muslir has termed the denial of entry of hijab-wearing students to some college campuses in Karnataka as a violation of the fundamental rights of the people. He said that India is a secular country and the failure of those governing to understand and imbibe that spirit would be detrimental to the integrity of the country.
He said some of the steps should raise suspicion that attempts were made to segregate Muslims as second-class citizens. “Every person in this country is free to believe and practice any religion of his choice. The Constitution guarantees it. The right of Muslim women to wear the hijab is also guaranteed by the Constitution,” Kanthapuram said.
He said that like the hijab, other religious symbols like bhindi, turban and cross are also symbols of India’s diversity. “Those involved in communal activities should move away from it,” he said in a statement here on Sunday.