Hijab is a symbol of oppression: Taslima Nasreen
New Delhi , Feb 17 : Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen has waded into the row over wearing hijab in educational institutions. In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Taslima Nasreen claimed that hijab, burqa, or niqab are symbols of oppression.
Taslima Nasreen’s comment comes as the controversy over hijab spread across Karnataka and spilled over to other states in India. The Karnataka High Court is hearing the petition challenging the hijab ban in educational institutions.
Talking about the proposal of uniform dress code in schools and colleges, Taslima Nasreen said, “I believe that right to education is about right to religion.”
She further raised questions on whether hijab is essential.
“Some Muslims think that hijab is essential and some think that hijab is not essential. But, hijab was introduced in 7th century by some misogynist because at that time women were treated as sex objects. They believed that if men look at women, men will have sexual urge. So women have to wear hijab or burqa. They have to hide themselves from men,” the Bangladeshi author said.
She added, “ But in our modern society, in 21st century, we have learned that women are equal human beings, so hijab or niqab or burqa are symbols of oppression. I think burqa reduces women to just genital organs.”
Taslima Nasreen claimed that hijab or nikab or burqa is humiliating for women as well as men.
-The India Today
