Veil (hijab), rights and justice have been shadowing the country-scape now. The hijab row that started in Karnataka has now been hogging the nation's centre stage.
On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court dismissed the petitions filed by some students seeking direction for permission to wear Hijab in classrooms. In its landmark judgement, a full bench of the High Court held that wearing of Hijab is not a part of Essential Religious Practice in Islam and so is not protected under Article 25 of the Constitution.
In its judgement today, the Court dismissed all pleas filed by Muslim girl students, challenging the action of a State-run PU college in denying them entry for wearing a headscarf.
Now, the matter has reached the country’s Apex court. Following the HC's verdict, a plea has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the judgement which dismissed the pleas.
Earlier on February 22, Advocate General Prabhulinga Navadgi while making his submissions before the Karnataka HC on behalf of the State government had concluded his arguments with a beautiful Hindi song.
He said, “While returning to the court today, I heard a beautiful song this morning. The lyrics of the song is ‘Na Moonh Chhupa Ke Jiyo, Na Sar Jukha Ke Jiyo..” (It is needless to hide your face or lower your head to live a life of respect).
Though the AG quoted this to emphasize woman dignity, it zooms on to the screen - Bollywood’s romance with Hijab and burqa.
What is Hijab?
Hijab is a head covering worn in public by women of the Muslim community, whereas Burqa is a full-body veil that covers the entire face and body of the wearer. The wearer sees through a mesh screen over the eyes.
Hijab, Burqa And Islam
While the petitioners knocked on the HC doors calling it an essential in Islam, the AG making his submissions had argued that it is not an essential religious practice in Islam.
Arguing, the AG referred to a book on Quran written by a Pakistan journalist. The book had been referred to in the SC during the Shayra Bano hearing decades ago.
As per the AG, there are Surahs that talks about the need for Muslim women to hide their adornments from outsiders, not family members.
To which, the Bench said you are talking about an over-gown.
And this over gown is known as Burqa. Hijab is a headgear. Bollywood is evident. Hijab is not a new chapter in India.
Bollywood And Hijab
Bollywood has put all- Hijab to Tezaab – in cinemascope.
In the blockbuster Tezaab, Madhuri Dixit in burqa discovered the love prank of Anil Kapoor.
Moreover, who would forget the classic chartbuster ‘Parda Hai Parda Hai... from Amar Akbar Anthony starring Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor in the lead.
Bollywood has all in its closet – A to N- The film Nikaah.
Nikaah had been a revolutionary film in the 80s. Because, the film broached on the hot topic of Triple Talaq.
One of the popular songs of the film was on hijab. The lyrics is Chehra Chhupa Liya Hai Kisine Hijab mein..
Infact, the AG referred to a Hindi classic from the film Humraz starring Sunil Dutt, Rajkumar and Mumtaz.
But the song is not on hijab. It tunes the theme of dignified living.
It's not just about the songs that romanced with Hijab, there are a couple of films that straightway focused on the over-gown. Films like Parde Ke Peechey and Naqaab are in the row. And, of course, who can forget the movie of modern time, Lipstick Under My Burkha.
Indeed, the list is quite long and the journey of Bollywood with Hijab/Burqa will continue till eternity.