‘Motivated Comments On Internal Issues Are Not Welcome’, MEA Responds To US Comment On Hijab Row

The statement came after Ambassador at Large, IRF, Rashad Hussain posted a tweet criticising the Karnataka government over the ongoing Hijab row. 

Hijab-clad students protesting the hijab ban.

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has responded to the comment of the US Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) Ambassador at Large, Rashad Hussain on the Karnataka Hijab row and said that “motivated comments on our internal issues are not welcome.”

An official statement by the MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “A matter regarding dress code in some educational institutions in the State of Karnataka is under judicial examination by the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka.”

He further added, “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.”

Bagchi affirmed that “Motivated comments on our internal issues are not welcome.”

His statement came after Ambassador at Large, IRF, Rashad Hussain posted a tweet criticising the Karnataka government over the ongoing Hijab row. 

Hussain had tweeted, “Religious freedom includes the ability to choose one's religious attire. The Indian state of Karnataka should not determine the permissibility of religious clothing. Hijab bans in schools violate religious freedom and stigmatize and marginalize women and girls.”

His comment is a reference to the current turmoil going on in Karnataka after a ban on hijab in a government-owned pre-University college. After the ban on hijab in the college, some female students were not allowed to attend classes if they came with the hijab. 

The action led to a protest by the female students. Soon enough, the matter escalated to other colleges and some other students started protesting against the female students by wearing a saffron shawl in the college. 

The protest and counter-protest even led to violence in some colleges, where police had to use teargas to disperse the students. Now, the educational institutions have been shut in the state until the hearing is completed by the Karnataka HC. The HC will resume the hearing on the petition in the matter on Monday.