BJP's Bal Mukund Acharya had visited the government school in Gangapole area of the Walled City during the Republic Day celebrations, where he had raised questions on the dress code. Today, the protesting girl students and their parents said that Jaipur's Hawa Mahal The MLA asked some girl students in the school why they were wearing hijab.
A student said, “They asked us to raise religious slogans and when some girls remained silent, they asked if the students were instructed to do so. They also said that wearing hijab is not allowed in school. “
The protesting girl students left after the police made a compromise.
Later Acharya released a video and clarified his position. “I had asked the principal if they have two different dress codes. When Republic Day celebrations or any government function is organised, is there a separate dress code? Then, our girls will also come in lehenga chunni.” '
Congress MLA from Kishanpole, Amin Kaggi accused Acharya of destroying the harmony and communal harmony of Jaipur. “If no action is taken by February 2, the protests will start again,” he said.
BJP minister Kirori Lal Meena also joined the issue and claimed that hijab is a “symbol of slavery” brought by the Mughals. He said, “Hijab is not allowed even in some Islamic countries. This should not happen here.” This is not the first time that Bal Mukund Acharya has created a controversy. After winning the elections last month, he was seen roaming on the streets demanding action against illegal butcher shops.
The hijab issue had rocked Karnataka for more than two years. In 2022, the BJP government led by then Chief Minister B Bommai had banned headscarves in educational institutions, sparking a major controversy. The Karnataka High Court had upheld the ban, saying that wearing the hijab “is not an essential religious practice of Islam” but also said that educational institutions can decide the dress code for all their students.
After coming to power last year, the Congress government has declared that people can “eat and wear whatever they want.” This has increased the hope of repealing the ban.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said, “There is no ban on hijab now. (Women) can wear hijab and go anywhere. I have directed to withdraw the (ban) order. How you dress and what you eat , It's your choice. Why should I stop you?” However, after strong opposition from BJP, he said that no government order has been given to lift the ban.
