In another case of right-wing hate, a burka-clad Muslim woman was harassed in India as bystanders did nothing. The matter gained traction on social media and many including Malala Yousafzai condemned the incident.
The incident took place in India’s southern Karnataka state. In the viral video the burqa-clad Muslim student, Muskan Khan, is seen being heckled by a Hindu far-right group while she’s making her way towards the varsity.
“I was just there to submit an assignment; that’s why I entered the college. They were not allowing me to go inside just because I was [wearing] the burqa.”
According to NDTV, the young woman wore a burka to protest the varsity’s hijab ban and was harassed by RSS workers due to that.
“We will continue (our protests) because it (wearing a hijab) is a part of being a Muslim girl; They (friends from other communities) even supported us.”
Many Pakistani public figures such as the youngest Nobel Prize Laureate, Malala Yousafzai, Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Fakhre Alam, and Shafaat Ali condemned the act.
Malala Yousafzai in particular how the state marginalized hijabi women, and limited their access to education.
“Refusing to let girls go to school in their hijabs is horrifying. Objectification of women persists — for wearing less or more. Indian leaders must stop the marginalisation of Muslim women.”
“College is forcing us to choose between studies and the hijab”.
Refusing to let girls go to school in their hijabs is horrifying. Objectification of women persists — for wearing less or more. Indian leaders must stop the marginalisation of Muslim women. https://t.co/UGfuLWAR8I
— Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) February 8, 2022
Others tweeted condemning the incident.
What’s going on in #ModiEndia is terrifying, Indian Society is declining with super speed under unstable leadership. Wearing #Hujab is a personal choice just as any other dress citizens must be given free choice #AllahHuAkbar
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 8, 2022
https://twitter.com/falamb3/status/1491050277868572672
https://twitter.com/iamshafaatali/status/1491072720293212160
Then there were the Instagram stories by other Pakistani celebs.
Even Hollywood actor John Cusack expressed concern about the growing fascism in India. The 2012 actor tweeted;
“If there ever was a clip of girl power in history this is it. A clip of bravery, self-belief, faith, courage all rolled into one. Salutes to this sister and prayers for her safety.”
https://twitter.com/johncusack/status/1491119401789276169
Even Bollywood celebs called out the hate, such as ace producer and actor Pooja Bhatt tweeted;
“As always, it takes a pack of men to attempt to intimidate a woman. Such frightened, pathetic excuses for human beings. Brandishing their shawls as weapons, cloaking their weakness in cruelty. A sizeable section of a rudderless generation lost to hate.”
https://twitter.com/PoojaB1972/status/1490947322049560578
Netizens are also lauding Muskan Khan for being brave as she initially remained calm as the harassers went after her.
“After that, they started shouting the slogan ‘Jai Shri Ram’ (Hail Lord Ram). Then I started to scream ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is great),”
She added that she would keep fighting for her right to wear the hijab.
The world powers never cease to show their double standards. Whenever such incidents occur in a Muslim country, or if a Muslim person commits them, they are highlighted all over the media as intolerant, oppressive and brutal. But when similar or even more severe incidents happen in non-Muslim nations against Muslims, it is downplayed as isolated/unfortunate incident. What a shame!