NEW DELHI – Police in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh spottedlashing Muslim women protesting against the Hijab ban on a busy street inGhaziabad.
As the Hijab row widens, Muslim women protesting against the ban on theIslamic code were beaten by the law enforcers in broad daylight.
In a video doing rounds on the internet, hijab-wearing women in the Khoraarea of Ghaziabad come to the fore, where local police can be seenthrashing the members with baton-charge.
As the video sparked outrage, the Ghaziabad Police claimed that theprotesting group had no due permission for their demonstration, and alsoaccused the agitators to assault police personnel.
Meanwhile, a case has been lodged at the Khoda police station under variouscharges including protesting without permission, attacking on-duty cops,obstructing government work.
As the top Indian court refused to hear the case, students at many schoolswere directed to remove their hijabs before entering the premises earlierthis week.
Earlier this month, educational institutions enforce bans on headscarvesfor Muslims after Hindu students, backed by rightwing Hindu groups,protested against the Muslim code.
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Muslim students have argued that their right to freedom of religion isbeing violated, and have taken the issue to state high court. The studentshave argued that “religious apartheid” is being imposed in some collegeswhere women in hijabs are being allowed to enter but are being kept inseparate classrooms.
The controversy drew international attention when a girl named Muskaan Khanbecome the face of resistance for Indian Muslim women amid an escalatingrow over hijabs.
In a viral clip, the 19-year-old brave girl can be seen entering hercollege as a mob of men approach her. Wearing saffron shawls – a colourassociated with Hinduism and Hindu nationalist groups – they startedchanting Hindu slogans.
Khan, who was wearing a hijab and a face mask along with a long black gown,then chanted Allahu Akbar in return as authorities escorted her inside.
