A controversy erupted in Kashmir on Wednesday after a school in Baramulla issued a circular asking its staff to refrain from wearing the hijab during school hours. This circular was issued by the principal of Dagar Parivar School on 25 April. It is an NGO run school with the help of Army for specially abled children.
Political parties created a ruckus on Wednesday over the circular. At the same time, the school said that the circular has been changed. Staff members will be asked to avoid niqab (face covering) only in classrooms.
A notification issued by the principal’s signature read, “Dagar Parivar School is a place to learn and grow emotionally and morally. The main objective as the staff of the school is to provide the fullest possible development of each and every learner. It is necessary to win trust so that they feel welcome, safe and happy at school.Staff are instructed to avoid hijab at school so that students feel comfortable and ready to interact with teachers and staff can.”
The order sparked outrage across the Union Territory and people said it was on the lines of the Karnataka High Court orders on hijab.
Mehbooba got angry on the school circular
Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said in a tweet on Wednesday, “I condemn this letter issuing the decree on Hijab. J&K may be ruled by the BJP, but it is certainly not like any other state where they bulldoze the homes of minorities and do not give them the freedom to dress as they wish. Our girls will not give up their right to choose.”
Abdullah also protested
National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah told the media that this is an attempt to sow hatred in the union territory. He said, “If the education of the students was getting affected by the hijab then why such an order was not issued before Karnataka? Why did they do this after Karnataka? This is creating an atmosphere for politics.
He said, “We are being asked not to use loudspeakers in mosques. Why is it when everyone else uses it everywhere. You are telling us that Halal meat should not be sold, why? It is in our religion and we are not forcing you to eat. Is the mike not used in temples and gurudwaras? Why do you have a problem with our mike and our religion? You just don’t like our clothes or our prayers. Hate is being spread here.”
‘Circular issued for accessibility of disabled children’
“We have revised the circular and restricted it to niqab (face covering) only in class rooms and not hijab,” a school representative said on condition of anonymity. He said, “It was done for children who are young and specially able. Who are able to concentrate properly and interact with the teacher. We are not making Karnataka here.”
army also got
Army PRO Col Imron Mousavi said the circular was for teachers who were wearing niqab (face covering) where students could not see the lip movements of their teachers. He said, “These children are specially-abled and that is why it is important for them to watch the teachers move their lips. It has nothing to do with religion. Army runs so many schools here and no such circular has been issued anywhere.