A group of Muslim girl students at Vishwa Bharti Higher Secondary school in Srinagar, India, staged a protest after being allegedly barred from wearing abayas, the traditional loose outer garment worn by Muslim women. According to the students, they were denied entry to the school wearing the abaya, despite it being a part of their religious attire. The school’s principal, however, denied these allegations, stating that the students were asked to follow a proper dress code and not wear the abaya to classes. The principal added that the school administration had not imposed a ban on the abaya or hijab, but that the uniform is the school’s identity and should be followed.
The controversy has sparked reactions from local politicians. The former chief minister and president of the PDP, Mehbooba Mufti, criticized the school administration for denying the students their right to practice their religious beliefs and said that nothing should be forced on anyone. The National Conference called it an interference in matters of religious attire and stated that the wearing of the hijab should be a personal choice without any interference.
While the school has denied imposing any ban on the abaya, the protest highlights the sensitive issue of religious freedom and attire in schools. Students have a right to practice their religious traditions, and schools should try to be accommodating rather than restrictive in upholding dress codes. The school administration should ensure that every student, regardless of their religious beliefs, can follow the proper dress code and uphold their cultural norms within the boundaries of the ethical code of the school.
