Hijab Row: 'Motivated Remarks On India's Internal Matter Not Welcome,' MEA Tells Other Nations

Hijab row: India on Saturday rejected criticism from some countries over the controversy over uniform rules in some educational institutions in Karnataka.

Students wearing hijab in Karnataka (File photo: AFP)

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing row over hijab in Karnataka, the Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said that 'motivated comments on our internal issues are not welcome.'

He also said that the Karnataka High Court is considering the matter related to the uniform rules in some educational institutions of the state.

"A matter regarding dress code in some educational institutions in the state of Karnataka is under judicial examination by the Honourable High Court of Karnataka. 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," said Arindam Bagchi in a statement tweeted by him on Saturday.

Our response to media queries on India’s reaction to comments by some countries on dress code in some educational institutions in Karnataka:https://t.co/Mrqa0M8fVr pic.twitter.com/pJlGmw82Kp

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) February 12, 2022

While reacting to the ongoing chaos, America has also issued its statement on this dispute. 

“Religious freedom includes the ability to choose one's religious attire,” Rashad Hussain, the US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, tweeted. “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.”

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.

— Amb. at Large for International Religious Freedom (@IRF_Ambassador) February 11, 2022

The controversy over wearing hijab which was started in Karnataka has now spread to many more schools and colleges in the state. Last month, protests against the hijab started at the Government Pre-University Women's College in Udupi, Karnataka. Six girl students of the school asserted that they were denied passage to the class for wearing the hijab.