Even a follower has no right to decide religious essentiality: Owaisi on hijab verdict

Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday took to Twitter and said that he "disagrees" with the Karnataka High Court's verdict on the hijab row.

"I disagree with the judgment on hijab. It's my right to disagree with the judgment and I hope that petitioners appeal before the Supreme Court (SC)," Owaisi said.

He remarked that Karnataka High Court's judgment on Hijab has suspended fundamental rights to freedom of religion, culture, freedom of speech and expression.

The verdict draws a curtain on a months-long controversy that battered the southern state of Karnataka, where students staged protests for not being allowed to wear hijabs in educational institutions.

The Hyderabad MP observed that one religion has been targeted and its religious practice banned. He said the High Court order has forced kids to choose between education and Allah's commands.

Owaisi reacted to the High Court order with a series of tweets.

He hoped that this judgment will not be used to legitimise harassment of hijab wearing women. One can only hope and eventually be disappointed when this starts happening to hijab wearing women in banks, hospitals, public transport etc, he said.

He also hoped that All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and organisations of other religious groups would appeal against this judgment.

He opined that even other people of the same religion have no right to decide essentiality. "It is between the individual and God. The state should be allowed to interfere in religious rights only if such acts of worship harm others. Headscarf does not harm anyone."

The MP also stated that banning headscarf definitely harms devout Muslim women and their families as it prevents them from accessing education.

"What does uniform do to prevent teachers from discriminating? Globally, the experience has been that reasonable accommodations are made in school, police & army uniforms to reflect diversity."

"What is the consequence of all of this? First, Govt created a problem where none existed. Children were wearing hijab, bangles, etc & going to school. Second, violence was instigated and counter-protests were held with saffron turbans. Are saffron turbans "essential"? Or only a "reaction" to hijab? Third, GO & HC order suspended fundamental rights. We saw media, police & admin harass hijab wearing students & even teachers. Kids have been even banned from writing exams. It's a mass violation of civil rights," the MP wrote.