MEND Statement: We Condemn the Indian High Court’s Upholding of Hijab Ban

MEND condemns the decision by the Indian high court to uphold the ban on wearing hijabs in educational institutions in Karnataka state and stands in solidarity with Muslim students whose religious freedoms are being infringed upon.

The state high court declared that the hijab was not an “essential religious practise in the Islamic faith” and dismissed a series of petitions filed by Muslim students who had been denied access to classes at different schools and colleges around the state.

Since the ascension of the BJP under current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has progressed from one act of institutional Islamophobia to another, culminating in the massacre of Muslims during the 2020 Delhi riots and subsequent targeted lynchings of Muslims by BJP supporters since.

MEND continues to applaud the defiance and strength of Indian Muslim women who have firmly stood up to these prejudiced and violent acts, despite the danger to their lives.

We call upon the UK government to denounce this latest act of Islamophobia and demand the Indian authorities overturn the ruling and uphold religious freedom and the rights of minorities in a country that is closely allied with ours.