Narottam Mishra is also the spokesperson of the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh (File)
Bhopal:
The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday said it was not considering a proposal to ban the wearing of hijabs, or headscarves, in educational institutions in the state.
Home Minister Narottam Mishra said, “There is no dispute over wearing hijab in Madhya Pradesh. There is no proposal under consideration with the state government regarding the ban.”
“There should be no confusion in this regard,” he told reporters in Bhopal.
The statement comes amid protests in Karnataka, where right-wing groups have targeted Muslim girls over their right to wear hijab in classrooms. Asked to comment, the minister said he would not discuss matters in another state and the Karnataka High Court is hearing arguments.
Mr Mishra’s statement comes a day after his cabinet colleague, School Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar. Appeared to support anti-hijab protesters and argued that it should be banned.
Mr Parmar today claimed that his statement was “misinterpreted”.
“Some people misinterpreted my comment. We are not going to introduce a new uniform code. The existing system of uniform in schools will continue,” he said.
However (and ominously), the minister also said: “If this (the wearing of the hijab) happens it (the ban) will be brought here as well. We will act accordingly.”
What started with six girls protesting in Karnataka’s Udupi district has turned into protests in several other colleges, including Mandya and Shivamogga, in the past few weeks.
On Tuesday, disturbing footage of a A young woman being beaten up by a mob of frenzied men Waving saffron scarves in Mandya and shouting ‘Long live Rama, Two persons were arrested by the police in Kundapur taluk for allegedly carrying a knife to a group of protesting students.
In addition to Karnataka (and Mr. Parmar’s “misinterpreted” remark), there have also been reports from Puducherry objecting to a teacher wearing the hijab.
Meanwhile, the BJP government in Karnataka has largely remained silent as it awaits the High Court’s decision on a plea by five women questioning the ban on wearing the hijab.
This evening the High Court referred the matter to a larger bench.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai yesterday ordered the closure of all schools and colleges for three days, and Protests near educational institutions in the capital Bengaluru have been banned for two weeks.,
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