Women leaders and social activists in Kerala release statement against hijab ban

Various women activists, student leaders, artists, social activists and research scholars across Kerala have condemned the hijab ban and related atrocities against Muslim Women in various educational institutions in Karnataka.

The statement strongly criticised the racial hatred of Hindutva fascism that paved way for institutionalised Islamophobia happening in the name of Hijab.

Well known women including KK Rama MLA, Dr. Shamshad Hussain, Dr. Rekha Raj, G. Ushakumari, Gomathy, Dr. Sherin BS, Adv. Bindhu Ammini, Dr. Varsha Basheer, Dr. Jenny Rowena, Ayisha Renna, Ladeeda Farzana, Adv. Najma Thabsheera and many others signed the joint statement that declare support to the protesting students in the neighbouring state.

"In this situation, constraining the issue of denial of rights to wear Hijab in the educational institutions into a mere Hijab vs Uniform debate will simplify the seriousness of the problem. It has to be noted that Muslim women are facing this atrocious denial of fundamental rights in India, where religious symbols of different groups have official approval, special considerations and protection under law," the statement reads.

The statement released demand that "there must be a proper legislation to protect the religious attire of Muslim women and there should be penal action against the hatred and atrocities in the name of Hijab."

Recently, a ban on headscarves at a pre-university college in Karnataka's Udupi district sparked protests among students.