Hijab-wearing students and their parents held a massive protest in Jaipur, the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan, against BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) leader, BalmukundAcharya, for asking Muslim girls to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and not to wear hijab.
The protesters gathered at SubhashChowk police station and demanded action against BalmukundAcharya and sought his apology. They shouted slogans like ‘Baba MaafiMangega’ (Baba must apologise) and ‘hijab hamarijaanhai’ (hijab is our soul).
Acharaya, who is member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), made the remarks on Sunday at the annual function of a government senior secondary school where around 85% girls are Muslims, reports said.
Viral videos of the function show the legislator asking the school officials why they allow hijab in the school.
“Prohibit them from wearing hijab. You have vitiated the atmosphere by allowing hijab in the school. Stop allowing hijab in the school and change these things, you have made them pack completely,” Acharya said in statements recorded by a local news channel.
He also gave a chorus of Hindu religious slogan ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and reprimanded the students who did not respond to his chant.
The protesting girl students and their parents pointed out that Acharya himself wears saffron dress in the assembly. But, they said, he has a problem with the Muslim girls wearing hijab.—INP
