After the United States and Pakistan waded in the Karnataka hijab row, India’s ministry of external affairs on Saturday said that “motivated comments on our internal issues are not welcome.”
The ministry issued a statement, saying that the matter regarding dress code is under judicial examination and the issues are resolved through its constitutional framework and mechanism.
“Our constitutional framework and mechanisms, as well as our democratic ethos and polity, are the context in which issues are considered and resolved. Those who know India well would have a proper appreciation of these realities. Motivated comments on our internal issues are not welcome,” read the statement.
Pakistan had earlier summoned Indian Charge D’affaires to convey its concerns over the hijab row, accusing India of “religious intolerance, negative stereotyping and discrimination against Muslims.”
Pakistan said in a statement it was concerned over the “anti-hijab campaign, being spearheaded by RSS-BJP combine in Karnataka.”
On Friday, the United States ambassador for International Religious Freedom said that Karnataka should not ban hijab in schools as it “violates religious freedom.”
“Religious freedom includes the ability to choose one’s religious attire. The Indian state of Karnataka should not determine permissibility of religious clothing. Hijab bans in schools violate religious freedom and stigmatize and marginalize women and girls,” he tweeted.
Over the past few weeks, Hindu students and Hindutva mobs have protested against Muslim women wearing hijabs to college at several places in Karnataka.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed students not to wear “religious clothes” till an order is passed on the matter of whether students should be allowed to cover their heads in hijabs in educational institutions.
