Shopian: A peaceful protest was held on Friday in district Shopian against the hijab ban faced by Muslim students at a college in Karnataka state.
Scores of people were seen holding placards in support of hijab and against the saffron-clad men who ambushed a Muslim girl for wearing head scarf at the Karnataka college.
The protesters said that there should be no interference in religious affairs in any part of the country or world. “When we aren’t asking anyone to wear this and that attire, then why our Muslim sisters are being forced to remove head scarves, which are a vital part of their faith as well as their fundamental right,” said a protesting youth.
Men, women and even girls took part in the protest. A girl at the protest said that covering one’s body and hair is part of religion and they will not shun it even if forced to do so. We will wear hijab till our last breath and as it is a vital part of our religion, we will lay down our life for it,” she said while addressing the protesters and media persons.
Another youth said that one should not think that if a lion is put in a cage, it will forget to roar. “If the government does not allow the practicing of religious affairs, then we will hit the streets,” he warned.
It has been a fortnight now that the hijab row started at a Karnataka college. The controversy has attracted global attention, with Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousufzai supporting the Muslim girls. “Refusing to let girls go to school in their hijabs is horrifying. Objectification of women persists — for wearing less or more. Indian leaders must stop the marginalisation of Muslim women,” Malala wrote on her Twitter handle.

Raashid Hassan