BJP MLA in Rajasthan questions hijab triggering protest: report

Jaipur: Students in Rajasthan have taken out a protest against a BJP MLA for questioning some of them for wearing hijab to school, reminiscent of similar incidents in Karnakata in 2022.

Bal Mukund Acharya raised heckles among students when he visited a government school in the Walled City's Gangapol area during the Republic Day celebrations.

The MLA for Jaipur's Hawa Mahal reportedly questioned some students wearing hijab, leading to protest from students and parents.

‘He asked us to raise religious slogans and when some girls remained silent, he said they were instructed to do so. He also said wearing hijab in school is not allowed,’ a student was quoted as saying.

As the protests began to roil, Acharya released a video claiming he had asked the principal if there were two different dress codes’.

‘When a Republic Day function or any government function is held, is there a different dress code? At this rate, even our children will turn up in lehenga chunni.’ He reportedly said.

Meanwhile, Amin Kagazi, the congress MLA for Kishanpol, alleged that the BJP leader destroyed ‘the amity and communal harmony of the Walled City’, according to the report.

Amin Kagazi warned that ‘If no action is taken by February 2, the protests will begin again.’

Subsequently, BJP minister Kirori Lal Meena called hijab is a ‘symbol of slavery’, adding that ‘Hijab is not allowed in some Islamic nations. It should not happen here’.

Bal Mukund Acharya previously stirred up controversy when he sought action against illegal butcher shops.

The BJP government in Karnataka led by then Chief Minister B Bommai triggered a massive controversy after banning headscarves in educational institutes.