With the debate over a ban on hijabs continuing in the country, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti alleged a grand design in the controversy.
Linking the issue to the ongoing Uttar Pradesh elections, the People's Democratic Party chief said that those behind the hijab row might not stop at the Islamic headdress, and subsequently target other Islamic symbols.
She said, "This is being used for UP elections. But I fear that this won't stop at hijab. After this, other symbols will be targeted. They don't want India's Muslims to be Indians. They want to end their Muslim identity. They want to get rid of symbols."
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Another former CM of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah, also alleged a BJP conspiracy to win elections behind the hijab row. "One has the right to eat what one wants, wear what one wants, do what one wants, as long as the well-being of the nation isn't threatened. People have their own religions. This is an attack on religion. There are some extremist elements. They want communal tension and disputes, so that they can win elections. God willing, this will end one day," he said.
The Karnataka High Court is currently seized of the matter after some students filed a petition seeking the right to wear hijab in classrooms.
Many institutes in the state have barred students from wearing the hijab inside classes.
In an interim order, the high court has banned religious clothing at institutes where uniforms have been prescribed.