Muslim women being humiliated, dehumanised in name of uniformity, law & order: Fraternity Movement
Says "HC's interim order not only problematic, but enabling apartheid against Muslim women"
Bengaluru: A delegation of Fraternity Movement which toured Karnataka from February 25-28 amidst the Hijab row in the state, has released its finding in light of the ban on Hijab in classrooms and college campuses that started in Coastal Karnataka.
The delegation, according to an official press statement, collected testaments and took stock of the situation after the state-wide Hijab ban and subsequent row.
In its findings, the delegation has added that the ban is a targeted hate crime aimed to disempower young Muslim women and segregate the students on the lines of religion.
“We have found that hundreds of Muslim women are expelled from attending classes in the state, following the court interim order, in prima facia violation of human rights. The interim order is not only problematic to the beliefs and practices of the Muslim community but in fact enabling apartheid against Muslim women. In the name of uniformity and law & order, they are being humiliated and dehumanised,” the press release stated.
It further added that Muslim women in the state are being put in “an unfortunate position” and are being made to make a choice between their education and faith, both of which the press statement termed as basic human rights.
“The brave Muslim students are unwilling to compromise on either. They are concerned that they are or will be missing their exams which is adding on the anxieties and insecurities that surround them. These are teenage students who are burdened to brave this herculean fight for their identity and dignity,” it added.
It also added that several Muslim male students they made were physically harassed and attacked by their classmates affiliated to Hindutva right wing groups adding that it was concerning how ABVP and other right-wing groups were reacting to the situation without any checks.
It also pointed how a young Muslim student Muskan Khan was being heckled by a group of Hindutva activists and students at the college campus in Madikeri, the video of which went viral creating shockwaves across the country.
“We all saw the video where Muskan was heckled by 30-40 odd hindu students radicaliesed by the RSS donning saffron stoles that surfaced from Mandya, Karnataka. As everyone moves on from the incident we want to stress that the situation is all the more tense and serious.
“The whole issue escalated only after members of the ABVP and other right wing outfits started a mobilization against hijab distributing saffron stoles and invoking Hindu supremacy. This incident is an example of the patterned way in which these organisations work,” it further added.
The delegation also slammed the state government over their inability to contain the situation and blamed the BJP ministers of furthering hate and Islamophobia. “The Karnataka BJP is trying to turn this issue of rights into international conspiracy. The Home Minister has also ordered a probe into the terror links into the matter. The stereotypical suspicion that surrounds muslims is being invoked to rob the marginalised off its humanity and dignity,” it stated.
“Local and regional media channels are further harassing and intimidating the affected Muslim students. They are violating not only media ethics but all moral ethics. Saffron television channels are using this incident to demonise and stereotype Muslims to manufacture a collective apathy that will further normalise attacks on Muslims and their religious practices.
“We found out that incidents of violence and physical assault in several districts especially in Shimoga are directly unleashed at the members of the Muslim community. The affected areas have been barricaded by police and section 144 has been imposed making it impossible to monitor the situation and intensity of violence. Several videos that came out are evidence that the police was silent onlooker of the attacks,” the press statement further added.
Listing out its demands after based on their findings during the visit, the Fraternity Movement added the Hijab ban should immediately be revoked along with the “discriminatory interim order” and demanded that the government should direct CDC and college administrations to ensure that students allowed to appear fo exams that they have missed or that may be miss because of the ban.
It also called for arrangement of law enforcement for the safe and dignified return of Muslim students to schools and colleges while all FIRs filed on the protesting Muslim students should also be withdrawn.
Among the other demands of the Fraternity Movement were police action against the right-wing outfits and pro-Hindutva students who were involved in communalising the matter and heckling Muslim women, impartial probe into the violence that broke out in Shivamogga and other areas and action against the culprits while also providing compensation to those who have incurred property loss during the violence.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
