Mumbai, August 26: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has shared his views on the ongoing hijab controversy. He acknowledged that wearing a hijab is a traditional practice in the Muslim community but emphasized the need to adhere to the Constitution and laws of the country. “Court orders must be followed,” he stated.
In response to the Allahabad High Court‘s ruling that hijabs are not part of school uniforms, Athawale remarked, “Muslim women and school-going girls wear hijabs. While it is a traditional practice in Islam, we must operate within the framework of our Constitution and laws.”
He further stated, “As the Allahabad High Court has indicated, wearing a hijab is not mandatory. Therefore, it should not be worn. I believe we must respect the court’s order and adhere to the law.”
Athawale also referenced the Ayodhya Ram Temple issue, noting that it had been a long-standing matter without resolution. He mentioned that the Allahabad High Court had previously decided to allocate a third of the land to Muslims, but the Supreme Court believed that giving only 25 percent would perpetuate the dispute. An archaeological officer had reported finding temple remnants beneath the disputed structure, leading the Supreme Court to grant the entire land to the Ram Temple. This decision was accepted by the Muslim community, he added.
The Union Minister expressed, “Similarly, I believe the High Court has made its decision. We are moving forward in the 21st century. While traditions may exist, they must be practiced within the bounds of the law.”
Commenting on Asaduddin Owaisi’s remarks regarding the High Court’s decision, Athawale stated that the Muslim community has the right to establish and strengthen its leadership. He acknowledged that there are leaders like Owaisi who work for their community, and there are also Muslim leaders in the BJP, Congress, and his own party, the IPI. However, he noted the call for a singular, unifying leader for the Muslim community.
Athawale concluded by stating that there should be a leader who can unite all Muslims, while recognizing that there are supporters of various parties within the community. He urged everyone to work towards strengthening brotherhood.
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