Discrimination Against Muslim Students Persists in India Despite Hijab Row

Even a year after the controversial hijab debate erupted in Karnataka, Muslim girls and women continue to face harassment in educational institutions, as detailed in a report by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties – Karnataka (PUCL-K). The findings of this report shed light on the ongoing discrimination and challenges that Muslim women face in the pursuit of education in the state.

Report Methodology and Key Findings

The report, titled “Closing the Gates of Education: Violations of Rights of Muslim Women Students”, is the result of extensive fieldwork. A PUCL-K team traveled to several districts across Karnataka, including Raichur, Udupi, Hassan, Shivamogga, and Dakshina Kannada, to conduct in-depth interviews with students, teachers, and district officials. The research revealed that despite the end of the hijab debate, discrimination persists, leading many students to transfer from the government to minority colleges to avoid harassment and find educational environments where they feel safe and respected.

Muslim students shared their experiences of being marginalized and feeling unwelcome in educational institutions. The harassment reportedly stems not only from peers but also from college administrators and faculty. Students from marginalized communities, religious minorities, and Adivasi groups expressed how such discriminatory treatment adversely impacts their self-confidence, educational aspirations, and sense of freedom.

The report’s core message emphasized the wider societal implications of this discrimination:
“A divided and discriminatory educational space directly galvanizes the establishment of a further divided society,” PUCL-K stated.

Legal Context and Misinterpretations of the Karnataka High Court Judgment

One of the pivotal points of the report is its critical examination of the Karnataka High Court’s ruling, which played a significant role in shaping the narrative around the hijab in educational settings. While the court did not issue a direct order mandating an immediate ban on the hijab across all educational institutions, many schools and colleges throughout the state took it as an opportunity to impose sweeping bans without proper regard for protocol or the rights of Muslim women students.

The timing of the judgment and interim order, which came during end-of-year examinations, had far-reaching consequences. The report noted that institutions across Karnataka acted hastily and unilaterally, enforcing a ban on the hijab without any legal compulsion, and disregarding both due process and the rights of students.

To address this, the report recommended that the Department of Collegiate Education and the Department of Public Instruction issue clear directives, clarifying that the Karnataka High Court judgment does not mandate a statewide ban. Such a clarification would prevent the unwarranted imposition of hijab restrictions in schools and colleges, ensuring that students’ rights are not infringed upon due to misinterpretations of the ruling.

First-Hand Testimonies: Students’ Struggles and Lost Aspirations

The report provides a platform for students to voice their struggles. One poignant account comes from a Muslim student who, after facing harassment, was compelled to leave her government college for a minority institution that permitted wearing the hijab.

“I left my college and searched for other colleges that allowed girls to wear hijab. There was free education in government colleges but in my new college, the travel expense is high. I wanted to pursue MSc, which is not possible now. It feels that my dreams are now shattered,” she shared.

Such testimonies highlight the detrimental effects of the hijab ban not just on students’ daily lives but also on their long-term educational and career prospects. For many, the financial burden of switching to minority colleges has created additional barriers to higher education, making it harder for students to pursue their academic dreams.

Rising Hostility and Tensions in Educational Spaces

The report also emphasizes that the hijab controversy has led to a rise in hostility toward Muslim students, impacting their mental well-being and sense of security. In rural Udupi, for instance, a student recounted that the attitudes of their neighbors and friends changed drastically after the controversy, leading many Muslim women to seek support within their community.

Another testimony quoted in the report highlighted the climate of intimidation faced by these students:

“They said they wanted to punish and kill us. Many students come and pick fights without reason. We wrote to the principal, requesting intervention, but the principal refused.”

These accounts underscore the lack of institutional support and the failure of school administrations to protect Muslim students from harassment and ensure a safe learning environment. The report concludes that such tensions not only exacerbate social divisions but also hinder the right to education, as guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

Administrative Violations and Calls for Action

The report underscores that testimonies from district administrations, college authorities, and police officials reveal widespread violations of constitutional rights. By examining these accounts, the PUCL-K team identified instances where fundamental rights were breached, and government officials failed to uphold their mandates to protect students from discrimination.

PUCL-K calls on authorities to take immediate action to rectify these issues, ensuring that Muslim women can pursue their education without fear of harassment or discrimination. It further emphasizes the need for the government to facilitate open dialogue and ensure educational institutions adhere to inclusive policies that respect students’ religious and cultural practices.

The Broader Impact and Need for Resolution

The ongoing debate over the hijab in Karnataka has far-reaching social and educational implications, as reflected in this comprehensive report. The issue goes beyond a mere dress code — it touches upon questions of religious freedom, gender rights, and access to education.

The findings call for a balanced approach that respects the rights of Muslim women to practice their faith without compromising their access to education. The report highlights the need for a nuanced dialogue and policy intervention that upholds constitutional rights while fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students, regardless of their religious background.

Addressing these challenges effectively is crucial to bridging social divides and ensuring that every student has an equal opportunity to succeed academically and thrive in an environment of respect and dignity. Only then can educational spaces in Karnataka and across India truly reflect the principles of diversity, tolerance, and unity.