Hijab, burka (or nikab), beard, clothes and even freedom of expression operate within the confines of the Society we live in.

                     

 19.03.2022

Recent controversy over wearing of hijab (head scarf to cover hairs, shoulders and neck), burka or nikab (whole body cover with mesh over face or small slit like opening for eyes) in the Indian state of Karnataka reminds me back of my association with muslim community during childhood.

                                        Muslim women wearing hijab, with cows nearby in the town of Karanja (Lad)

 

I lived in the locality in the home town of Nandura, where there were sizeable numbers of muslims. In fact, the name of locality used to be Kacheri Mohalla. Close to our home on the river side, there was a mosque and some muslim houses. Some 500-600 metres on the right side were more than a dozen houses. And one shop that I often visited for buying toffees is that of Ataullah. During my childhood, I never ever felt any kind of tensions despite the fact those were days of 1962 and 1965 when we had Indo-China and Indo-Pak war, respectively. Most muslims were involved in their own business like repairs, grocery shops, farming and farm products sale-mostly of mango and banana. Although we did not visit one another’s home, there used to exchange of sweets occasionally. On the whole, relations between members of both communities were cordial and tolerant of each other feelings. It is in this atmosphere that we lived.

                    

                                Author in his home town near Gate leading towards river with mosque in the back.
 

Unfortunately, recent controversy on burka or hijab wearing in the college has drawn attention, at a time when we have elections in the seven states, and muslim-hindu divide an election issue.

Is hijab or burka or niqab mandated in the Islam religion? Or is it a part of muslim culture? Or Is it a freedom of expression that you or anyone would like to have in the democratic country? If hijab or niqab are used by some muslim women to cover up the face, there are similar customs in other communities too? And there are lot of other customs similar to hijab or burka wherein the face of women is required to be covered in front of elders or visitors in the hindu community especially in the North India.

Unfortunately, apparels are associated with the religious identity. A prominent politician taunted the members of minority wearing clothes of some kinds. Once in a while, my own brethren will taunt if I wear the short pyjama. On the contrary, Bermuda pants are acceptable and worn more proudly, and are not associated with culture much more alien to us.

Of course, the clothings has changed a lot over the years. What is most appropriate on one occasion may not be so in other occasion! I remember some years ago that some rustic farmers were making derogatory remarks against the lady who was wearing open back kind of blouse in the kisan mela (farmers’ congregation). It left a bad feeling. I occasionally advised my wife to wear a suit of salwar kameez while travelling. That does not mean that sari is not acceptable. It is a matter of convenience and situation that warrants it. Over the years, many women from the conservative background in the south India have preferred the salwar kameez over the sari. And so is the case with jeans and tops being popular with the college going girls even in towns.

In every school, there is a dress code that is expected of all students to wear. It gives a sense of belonging and discipline. So, is also a case of employees wearing the uniform in their office premises. The dress code identifies the institution that one is associated with. Not all institutions follow it. Of course some do. In the Government setup, the dress code is insisted upon for the benefit of citizenry. So, we have police, military, transport and others wearing specific dresses that distinguish them and help the common man to seek their services in case of need.

Since the hijab or burka has nothing to do with Islam, many muslim countries leave it to their citizens to decide what is to be worn by them. In 2010, I visited Turkey believing it to be orthodox muslim nation. I was surprised to see young ladies were wearing the western dresses. Even, some were seen playing volley ball with men.

        In Turkish city of Istanbul, lady playing an volleyball.
 

Of course, in the downtown Istanbul, there were some who wore burka. And office going staff would turn in their suits, be they are women or men. Last year, we visited Egypt. Many wore hijab in the cities like Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor. Some did not wear these dresses, especially in places like business plazas or malls. Our own neighbours Pakistan and Bangladesh have a sizeable population that does not wear hijab or burka. On the contrary, Saudis will have burkas and hijabs as per their interpretation of Islam.

Equally amusing is that most Egyptian men did not sport beard and were clean shaven, as we in India believe it to be associated with muslims. Most men in the countryside in Egypt wore their long flowing wardrobe. And this has more to do with the tradition and weather than religion.

Fortunately, the high court of Karnataka has ruled against hijab or burka wear in the college campus, as it did not find any reference prescribing this dress for women in Islam. I hope that this ruling extends to the wearing of apparel closely identifiable with other religions in the places or institutions where dress code is prescribed for their members or employees. However, this judgement has not gone down well. And this section of society felt that this judgement is against the right of freedom to express (in the present case, wearing of dress). The important point is what is more preponderant? freedom of expression or community’s idea of decency and discipline? 

In the context of western world, I woke up one day in the early morning to see the naked voluptuous lady soliciting the attention of men in the front of my window from 11^th K Street NW in Washington DC. I am told that public decency laws are in force there too. Probably these are discriminately applied to this end of the community while the up-scale society can pass off atrociously revealing dresses under the garb of fashion in the high-end districts of the capital. Similarly, while visiting Gurdwara in Central Delhi in 2019, I was distressed to see the naked Jain muni walking down the Baba Kharak Singh road. It is his religious right but does the public decency Act allow such exceptions? If the Jain muni can walk naked without challan, so can anyone who wish to do so!

 As an expression of freedom, even conservative societies have asserted it over time as in the wall paintings of a house in Abu Sambel in Egypt shows. And this freedom is yours in the common places, yet within the confines of who dictate these norms in the society and what times you live in.

 

                    In the suburb near Abul Simbel in Egypt is a painting that depicts the relative freedom that women aspire for