HIJAB

With the death of Bajrang dal activist, the under discussion “Hijab” matter resurfaced following the imposition of “Section 144” in Karnataka and it will obviously not end here. One after other issues keep roaring and we keep fighting and losing lives. But it's okay, at least we are keeping our point no matter who dies because being a Hindu or a Muslim or belonging to any religion matters the most. And it not only matters to us it does for our respective political parties too who are funding to feed such ideas. I am happy too, let’s all pledge to die on religious matters and completely ignore the fact that religion is a way to live. With this one day, we all would die and no one will be here to fight on any religious matters anymore.

When I was in school, there was a girl Fatima in my class who used to wear Hijab during Ramadhan and for us, it was just like wishing her and asking her when is the Eid or when are we going to get “Sewaiyan”. It was not a big deal for us and neither for anyone in the school and after Ramadhan, she would also come without covering her head. How simple life was then!! I mean just around 10 years back. The last decade made us more Hindu or more Muslim (speaking only about these two as it’s concerned here).

I would write further with a little disclaimer here, that neither do I want to hurt the sentiments or belief of anyone and nor am I a subject matter expert. Whatever I am writing is all personal and this is all that I think or believe in.

The Muslim religion began in the Arabs, a dry and hot place with sandy winds that all together are not good for body and health. To protect human life and to make it better “Naqab” would have started and it was not just for the women also the men there wear fully covered clothes called “Thawb” or “Dishdasha”. But then it became a discipline and religions are always made for living a disciplined life (which is no more now) covering oneself fully was associated with religion. Since we all know women’s, skin is more sensitive “hijab” would have been added for them. This is a scientific and practical way of understanding the concept. But since it’s related to religion people all over the world practice it.

Then what is the problem, when it’s so scientific and a matter of one’s belief? Well, I don’t have any problem and I don’t know who are they who started seeing this as a problem. Maybe the political leaders have a problem who project these ideas to get us indulged in such matters rather than doing better things and creating opportunities for us.

Whatsoever is the reason and whatsoever is happening or will happen made one thing very clear that in a country like India, wearing uniforms to school is really very important. It is because we need to clear the religious differences at least inside the classrooms so that our coming generations don’t separate one other on an everyday basis. Otherwise, we will be fighting on religious subjects in the coming decades too. Wearing a saffron scarf will not make me more a Hindu and not wearing the hijab will not make a girl any less a Muslim. But if we accept our lifestyles and respect each other’s space it will surely make us a better human.

Coming soon with “If not and if yes for Hijab”.