I didn’t want to give up hijab. Hijab is a part of my identity. I am living in a secular country and I should be allowed to wear my hijab and pursue my education constitutionally,” said Tabassum Shaikh, who hit the headlines after she topped Karnataka State Board examination.
“It was a time of uncertainty since wearing a hijab is an essential component of both my identity and my religion, I was very confused and depressed as well. I have worn hijab since I was five years old. It was really tough for me to give it up and I didn’t want to,” said Tabassum while replying on how the hijab ban had affected her.
On Tabassum Shaikh’s achievement, Mrs. Rahamathunnissa A, Chief Editor of Aurae-magazine said, “Tabassum Shaikh’s great achievement is a classic example of how a woman/girl with religious and moral values can achieve heights of glory in spite of all barriers and setbacks. It will definitely give confidence to more and more such girls especially from the Muslim communities who have to face discrimination and overcome the hurdles created by the society as well as the government to move forward in education. Tabassum’s case is also evidence that Muslim girls and women are breaking through every barrier and are capable of questioning and challenging the narratives set against them.”
Mrs. Rahamathunnissa further said, “It’s very shameful for the entire nation that Tabassum-like talents have to undergo trauma and humiliation and compromise with their constitutional rights of practising their faith for education. No one should be made to go through such compulsions of choosing one fundamental right over the other. Tabassums are many amidst us. But their parents have to struggle immensely to send them to educational spaces. In fact, it is the duty of the government to ensure that access to quality education is made easier for all children irrespective of their religion, caste, way of dressing and gender.”
Sabir Ahamed, National Research Coordinator, Pratichi (India) Trust (Kolkata), observed, “Tabassum Shaikh is an epitome of grit and determination; she toped the board examination amidst the extreme hostilities to our indemnity in the country. Her achievement in education has crushed all the myths around the Muslims’ education, in particular that of Muslim women. In line with the national scenario, Muslim women are doing well in education, her success further accelerate the pace.”
According to Dr. Maskoor Ahmad Usmani, Former President, AMU Students’ Union, “The Modi regime has always pressed to the fact that they are working towards the emancipation of Muslim women, whom they have presented as being subjugated under religious conduct. Tabassum Shaikh has deconstructed this pseudo narrative by topping the state board’s exam. Such women are a paragon for the Muslim community, particularly females who aspire to reach zenith in their lives. While upholding her faith along with her education, Tabassum has set a benchmark that I suppose every girl of this country will look up to and aspire to achieve.”
Adv. Sumaiya Roshan, President National Federation of GIO while, sharing her views on Tabassum’s achievement, said, “We are thrilled and happy to hear about Tabassum Shaikh, who topped the 2nd PUC board. Her commitment and dedication amidst the unfortunate Hijab row in Karnataka is commendable. It was very unfortunate that she and other young girls like her had to go through the immense pressure and stress of Hijab ban during the crucial time of their board exams. Tabassum spoke about the mental pressure she experienced during that time as she had no choice but to remove the hijab as it was a part of her identity. Was it fair to put them through such misery? What was achieved by it?
“There have been many examples of hijabi girls like her doing exceptionally well in academics, winning gold medals and topping universities, from last year and in the past. They are an inspiration to other young girls not to be threatened by narrow political gimmicks and instead continue striving to achieve remarkable things for themselves and society.”
President of National Federation of GIO added, “It is an excellent comeback to all those stopping them from schools and colleges and a slap on the faces of those who made all efforts to take away these rightful opportunities from them that they will not succumb to the difficulties and prove themselves through their success. We are positive that if barriers and obstacles are not created and right opportunities are provided, more such talents could be witnessed.”
In January this year, a special data report by The Indian Express revealed that there is almost 50 percent drop in the admission of Muslim students in government pre-university colleges (PUCs) in Udupi district. While there is not much change in Muslim students entering pre-university colleges (Class 11) in the district, there is a massive dip in admission to government PUCs.
In 2022-23 there have been 186 Muslim student enrolments in Udupi’s government PUCs (91 girls and 95 boys), which is almost half compared to 2021-22 number, 388 (178 girls and 210 boys). In 2022-23, private PUCs saw a hike in Muslim admissions with 927 (487 girls and 440 boys) as compared to 2021-22 number, 662 (328 girls and 334 boys). “The enrolment of Muslim girls in our PU College has almost doubled for the first time. This is a testament to how the hijab issue has actually impacted them personally and academically,” Indian Express quoted administrator of Saliath Group of Education, Aslam Haikady.
In December 2020, the hijab controversy erupted after six Muslim students of a pre-university college in Udupi were not allowed to wear hijab as part of their religious obligation in the college premises. The issue sparked controversy followed by clashes with their non-Muslim classmates who tried to confront while wearing saffron scarves which led to shutdown of colleges in the district.
Petitions were filed in the Karnataka High Court against government’s order to ban hijab. The three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court upheld the government’s decision. The decision of High Court was challenged in the Supreme Court where a two-judge bench gave a split verdict. The appeal is likely to be heard by a larger bench.