Hijab, burqa are symbols of oppression, said Swedish-Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, while commenting on the hijab controversy in Karnataka.
“I believe that right to education is about right to religion. Some Muslims think that hijab is essential and some think that hijab is not essential. 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 author said.
“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”, she added.
Hijab and burqa are an insult to both men and women. Education is more important than religion. A secular state should have a secular dress code. People can have religious beliefs but they can practice them at home or somewhere else, not in a secular institution. Secularism means state has to be separated from religion. Law should be based on equality, not on religion. A person’s identity should not be their religious identity, she said.
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