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Uniform
When I was in school, I was never fond of my uniform. All kids hated it, and not just because of the poor design, but also because of the lack of functionality. However, I wore it to school every day. Why? The things that mattered more than how I looked and what I wore. Then you would say, "But this is a religious issue. Hijabs aren't worn for fashion."
That's all right. What about this then? A friend of mine once spent some time in Saudi Arabia when she was a child. The burqa was mandatory when she stepped outside the house, despite not following Islam. She wore it anyway. She didn't wear it by choice, but out of respect for the law. The moral is the same in both stories.
It is customary for certain institutions to wear uniforms. Boys are not allowed to grow facial hair, girls are not allowed to paint their nails or wear jewellery, etc. There are no exceptions to these rules, regardless of how attached you are to your outfit or your style.
Would I be able to colour my thumb if I invented a religion that said a deity painted on your thumb is the key to sanctity? Probably not. Also, girls wearing bindis, hijabs, or crosses, or boys wearing turbans or yarmulkes should not be permitted. In reality, any partiality is in contradiction to 'uniform'. As long as the protocol is followed, my religion is just as invalid as to any other.
You should wear a uniform to show your commitment to the institution over your fashion/religious preferences. Children who wear uniforms to school place more importance on education than fashion or religious beliefs. Military uniforms are worn because soldiers prioritize their national duty over any other association. The absence of a hijab on duty by a female Muslim officer does not mean that she is not a faithful follower of her religion. She does this to have better peripheral vision as she is dedicated enough to her job not to display her religious identity through the hijab.
You may argue, "But colleges are not battlegrounds.". True, colleges are not battlegrounds, the uniform does not serve a functional purpose. However, it does serve a symbolic purpose. It is clear that the students are dedicated enough to the institute to sacrifice their other identities and bond over their college activities.
University policy determines whether a dress code will be enforced. In light of my religious beliefs, I might find this stupid and pointless. However, I am not the grand chancellor of any university, so I am powerless to control it. I completely agree with those who say people cannot be forced to choose between education and religion. Quite frankly, I wouldn't care if you showed up at college wearing a leaf-made cloth or a sack. But the university you have chosen to study at does not support your ideology in that regard. You might find another university that does respect your religious beliefs. If you feel uncomfortable or oppressed, please go to that university instead.
Several of us believe that India needs more liberal colleges.
Aside from that, let's also talk about obstructing freedom of expression. You are not being deprived of your right to wear the hijab outside of these institutes. Nobody is forcing you to attend these institutes. Dress however you like and walk the streets as you please. Wear shirts as pants or pants as shirts. It is highly likely that you will attract attention, but the law cannot prevent you from doing so. Depending on your taste, you can wear a saree, a short dress, pyjamas, or a blazer. The cross, the turban, the hijab, and the bindi are all acceptable. If anyone tries to take your right there, I will fight to protect you.
So, what are my opinions? Because India is a secular nation, no national law should be passed banning the hijab in classrooms. Universities should have the option of allowing all symbols (preferably) or not allowing any. Think carefully before making your decision. You should respect the uniform if you plan on studying in an institute with a uniform. If you are not, don't compromise and go to a more liberal place. Get as many people as you can to support you in your request to change the code if you have already made your choice. Accept the decision of the authority if they refuse to change the code. Keep going, or find a new job. The choice is yours.
© Anjali
That's all right. What about this then? A friend of mine once spent some time in Saudi Arabia when she was a child. The burqa was mandatory when she stepped outside the house, despite not following Islam. She wore it anyway. She didn't wear it by choice, but out of respect for the law. The moral is the same in both stories.
It is customary for certain institutions to wear uniforms. Boys are not allowed to grow facial hair, girls are not allowed to paint their nails or wear jewellery, etc. There are no exceptions to these rules, regardless of how attached you are to your outfit or your style.
Would I be able to colour my thumb if I invented a religion that said a deity painted on your thumb is the key to sanctity? Probably not. Also, girls wearing bindis, hijabs, or crosses, or boys wearing turbans or yarmulkes should not be permitted. In reality, any partiality is in contradiction to 'uniform'. As long as the protocol is followed, my religion is just as invalid as to any other.
You should wear a uniform to show your commitment to the institution over your fashion/religious preferences. Children who wear uniforms to school place more importance on education than fashion or religious beliefs. Military uniforms are worn because soldiers prioritize their national duty over any other association. The absence of a hijab on duty by a female Muslim officer does not mean that she is not a faithful follower of her religion. She does this to have better peripheral vision as she is dedicated enough to her job not to display her religious identity through the hijab.
You may argue, "But colleges are not battlegrounds.". True, colleges are not battlegrounds, the uniform does not serve a functional purpose. However, it does serve a symbolic purpose. It is clear that the students are dedicated enough to the institute to sacrifice their other identities and bond over their college activities.
University policy determines whether a dress code will be enforced. In light of my religious beliefs, I might find this stupid and pointless. However, I am not the grand chancellor of any university, so I am powerless to control it. I completely agree with those who say people cannot be forced to choose between education and religion. Quite frankly, I wouldn't care if you showed up at college wearing a leaf-made cloth or a sack. But the university you have chosen to study at does not support your ideology in that regard. You might find another university that does respect your religious beliefs. If you feel uncomfortable or oppressed, please go to that university instead.
Several of us believe that India needs more liberal colleges.
Aside from that, let's also talk about obstructing freedom of expression. You are not being deprived of your right to wear the hijab outside of these institutes. Nobody is forcing you to attend these institutes. Dress however you like and walk the streets as you please. Wear shirts as pants or pants as shirts. It is highly likely that you will attract attention, but the law cannot prevent you from doing so. Depending on your taste, you can wear a saree, a short dress, pyjamas, or a blazer. The cross, the turban, the hijab, and the bindi are all acceptable. If anyone tries to take your right there, I will fight to protect you.
So, what are my opinions? Because India is a secular nation, no national law should be passed banning the hijab in classrooms. Universities should have the option of allowing all symbols (preferably) or not allowing any. Think carefully before making your decision. You should respect the uniform if you plan on studying in an institute with a uniform. If you are not, don't compromise and go to a more liberal place. Get as many people as you can to support you in your request to change the code if you have already made your choice. Accept the decision of the authority if they refuse to change the code. Keep going, or find a new job. The choice is yours.
© Anjali
