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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What is Iran’s 10-point plan? Key demands ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Tehran/Islamabad: Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as the basis for upcoming talks with the United States, expected to begin in Islamabad on April 11, according to a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.
The plan lays out Tehran’s key political, military and economic demands, and is being seen as a framework for negotiations following the recent escalation in the region.
Strait of Hormuz at the centre
A major focus of the plan is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has proposed “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” which it says would give the country a unique economic and geopolitical position.
The plan also calls for the “establishment of a safe transit protocol” in the Strait that would guarantee Iran’s dominance under an agreed mechanism.
Call to end conflict
Iran has demanded “the necessity of ending the war against all elements of the axis of resistance,” signalling its expectation that hostilities should stop not only in Iran but also involving allied groups in the region.
US troop withdrawal
Another key demand is the “withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region,” indicating Tehran’s long-standing position against American military presence in West Asia.
Sanctions relief and compensation
The plan places strong emphasis on economic measures. It calls for “full payment of Iran’s damages according to estimates,” along with “the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council.”
It also seeks “the release of all Iranian assets and properties frozen abroad,” which have been a major point of contention for years.
Binding global guarantee
Finally, Iran has demanded that all these terms be formally recognised through “a binding Security Council resolution,” suggesting it wants international legal backing to ensure enforcement.
What this means
The 10-point plan reflects Iran’s broader push for security guarantees, economic relief and regional influence. The upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to test how far both sides are willing to negotiate on these demands.
