‘Goddess Saraswati offers enlightenment to all,’ Rahul Gandhi said of the Karnataka hijab debate

*Paromita Das

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that the government is robbing the future of India’s girls by refusing to admit hijab-wearing Muslim girl students to educational establishments in Karnataka.

The Wayanad MP remarked in a tweet that Goddess Saraswati offers knowledge to all without discrimination.

The hijab row in Karnataka has erupted into a major debate, with many colleges refusing to admit students who wear hijabs.

Siddaramaiah, the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly and a Congress leader, claimed on 4 February, that the goal is to deny Muslim girls access to education.

“This is the idea to keep female pupils out of school. The goal is to deny education to female youngsters “In Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah told reporters.

When asked about Hindu students donning saffron shawls in protest of hijab use at college, he responded, “Wearing a Saffron shawl has only been popular for a few days, whereas wearing a Hijab has been popular for years. The case is currently pending in the court of law. The hijab has been worn for centuries “he stated

He went on to say that the Indian Constitution guarantees the freedom to practise any religion, which means that one can dress in any religious garb.

He tweeted that excluding hijab-wearing students from attending school is a violation of their fundamental rights.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has stated that religious robes, such as the hijab or the saffron scarf, will not be permitted in schools or institutions.

A case has also been filed in the Karnataka High Court by five females studying at a Government Pre-university College in Udupi, disputing the hijab prohibition at college. The matter will be heard on February 8.

The Karnataka government has ordered educational institutions to observe current uniform related norms until the High Court issues a judgement in this regard next week.