Nobel Peace laureate and women’s education activist Malala Yousafzai on Tuesday, reacted to the ongoing Hijab row in Karnataka, where Muslim students are barred from entering campuses and classrooms for wearing hijab, has said it’s horrifying.
Yousafzai took to Twitter saying, “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 marginalization of Muslim women.”
In 2012, the Nobel laureate had taken bullets from the Taliban in Pakistan for speaking up about the rights of girls and their education. She has urged Indian leaders to stop the marginalization of Muslim women.
The hijab controversy began in January when six students at Udupi government PU College were asked to leave the campus for attending classes wearing headscarves. The issue has now spread to different parts of the state, with Hindu students backed by right-wing outfits, have also come to college wearing saffron scarves to oppose Hijab.
Meanwhile, all schools and colleges have been shut for the next three days due to the rise in the matter.
At present, Karnataka High Court is hearing petitions filed by five women from a government college in Udupi, questioning restrictions over hijab. The hearing will continue today.