Srinagar, April 27 (UNI) A major controversy has erupted after an Army-run school in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district asked its staff to stop wearing Hijab during school hours.
Two former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have hit out at the circular. While Mehbooba Mufti said J&K was not like “any other state”, Omar said an effort was being made to bring Karnataka into Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba took to her twitter handle to condemn the move and also attached the copy of the circular issued by the Dagger Parivaar School Baramulla. The school caters to specially abled kids and presently 70 are on roll.
“I condemn this letter issuing diktats on hijab. J&K may be ruled by BJP but its certainly not like any other state where they bulldoze the houses of minorities & not allow them the freedom to dress as they want. Our girls will not give up their right to choose,” she tweeted.
In a circular issued on Monday, the school Principal instructed the staff to avoid Hijab so that students can feel “comfortable.”
“As the staff of school, the main purpose is to provide the fullest possible development of each learner,” the circular added. “For the same, the trust must be established with the students to make them feel welcome, safe and happy. The staff is hereby instructed to avoid hijab….”
On Tuesday, a defence official in Srinagar said there was nothing wrong in the circular. “This school is for specially abled children, who always require significant physical interaction. There should be no controversy over it as specially abled children need special care,” he said.
Omar Abdullah said it was wrong on the school’s part to issue such a circular. He said everyone has the freedom to follow his or her religion in this country and it is enshrined in the Constitution that India is a secular country.
Omar hoped that the “effort to bring Karnataka” into Jammu and Kashmir will be stopped forthwith. Karnataka had recently witnessed a controversy over students wearing Hijab in educational institutions.
Omar even questioned the “reason given by the school” for the circular. “The reason given is just not right. This school did not start yesterday. The teachers (who wear hijab) must have been interacting with the students earlier also. What changed overnight?” he asked.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister described it as an attempt to create an atmosphere for politics.
