In this article, I will talk to you about the ongoing Hijab issue which is spreading like a fire in the whole country. In this article, we will discuss what is this whole matter about and where did it start from and What effect can this have on our country and the youth of the country? What does this matter have to do with religion and should such a case be in our country?

"When religion and politics ride in the same cart, the whirlwind follows"

Here is everything you need to know about the recent Hijab incident. First of all, before talking to you people on this matter, let me tell you and clarify what is the difference between Hijab and burqa. It is going to be very useful in further conversations. What is exactly a burqa?

In the simplest language, A burqa is a long garment that covers the whole head and body, including the face. People usually mix up the two but it is important to know they are different. Because the burqa in many countries across the world has been banned for security reasons. Even including some Muslim countries, where it was banned. But the Hijab is a head covering for Muslims. Coming back to the topic, what exactly is this Hijab case, where did it start and why is there so much ruckus in the whole country

The incident began in Karnataka in the final month of last year. Six female students from the government PU college in the Udupi district were not allowed to attend class wearing a Hijab. On December 31, 2021, the students started protesting, claiming that the college had refused to allow them to attend classes for the last 15 days.

Udupi BJP MLA Raghupathi Bhatt, who heads the college's development committee, met with parents and instructed the six students to adhere to the college's dress code in the classroom. The six students who chose not to attend class filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court and also approached the National Human Rights Commission. This was the beginning of this incident.

Now the question comes, how did it spread in the entire state? So following the incident, some group of boys at the government pre-university college in Kundapur district wore saffron shawls to class in protest of some girls wearing Hijab. In January end after seeing this incident spreading in most of the schools and colleges of the state government in view of this, issued an order on 5 February 2022, stating that no exception can be made for the wearing of Hijab and uniforms must be worn compulsory where policies exist. Several schools cited this order and on the basis of this order denied entry to Muslim girls wearing the Hijab

However, some girl students in the Udupi district have angrily argued about this and that they cannot be compelled to stay out of college following a sudden change in the dress code that banned the Hijab. To counter the Hijab-wearing girls, several Hindu boys have been turning up with saffron shawls, but have also been forbidden access to classrooms. Such cases were reported in several colleges in Karnataka. In an attempt to prevent further escalation of the row over students wearing Hijab and saffron shawls in classrooms, Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bhumai ordered the closure of all high schools and colleges in the state for three days.

I am surprised to see that at this age my friends and I used to think about what is in tiffin, how many marks would come in the exam, and all. At the same age, today's children are doing politics with Hijab and saffron shawls. Don't they care about their future?

I think that instead of putting this mind in these gullible chases, if it is put in the right direction, then the youth of our country will not take much time to fulfill their dreams.

I am surprised to see such an incident happening in that country where Hindus, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, and Christianity, are living and their presence reflects the feeling of brotherhood. More or less, they lived together and set an example of unity in diversity. Where the Sufi and Bhakti movements took place. Where people live in harmony. Where all religions are treated equally Credit for this goes to many peoples, including Baba Farid, Sant Kabir Das, Guru Nanak, Mira Bai, and even rulers like Akbar.

Because of this, the Indian version of secularism was founded where all religions are equal. It was critical for them to be on equal footing. This idea was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. He viewed India as a highly religious society. It is a nation of devout believers. And that the French model of secularism would be impossible to implement. Because of this, we implemented a form of secularism that allows people to practice their religions while coexisting peacefully.

As a result, in countries such as India and America, the type of secularism practiced is known as Soft Secularism. The government would not be fundamentally anti-religion but would include religion by supporting all faiths equally. It would, however, support religious activities on an equal footing. This is why we see examples where the Indian government sends people to the Hajj Pilgrimage, and forms the Amarnath Shire Board, and a recent example would be the Delhi Government's Teerth Yatra Yojana. Pilgrimages to religious sites are permitted for people of all faiths and It is funded by the government. In a sense, the government promotes religion.

In contrast, Hard Secularism, or Negative Secularism, is secularism practiced in parts of Europe such as France. In this type of secularism, the government makes an effort to separate all public institutions from all religions. That is why customary, religious symbols are frequently prohibited. Countries such as France have already banned the Hijab from schools, and the European Union's highest court has stated that it is up to employers in European countries to decide whether or not to prohibit the Hijab in the workplace.

Some people support the Hijab, while others oppose it. We should not look at it from the point of view of Hindus or Muslims. Today it's Hijab, tomorrow it may be Turban, then Saree, Bindi, etc. If such a case continues, then the meaning of secularism in our country will completely change.

We are forcing the government to switch from soft to hard secularism. This matter is in court, and I and everyone else believe in the court; no one, not me nor you, can decide it well. So instead of thinking about what is going to happen next. We should rise above the politics of caste religion and think with a true and good heart to maintain the unity and sovereignty of the country.

"We Were All Humans Until
Race Disconnected Us,
Religion Separated Us,
Politics Divided Us, And
Wealth Classified Us"