Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Wednesday, August 26, called for the ongoing hijab controversy in Uttar Pradesh to be resolved through mutual understanding rather than prolonged legal disputes.
Her remarks came a day after the Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition by a minor student seeking permission to wear a hijab with her school uniform.
Mayawati Urges Mutual Understanding
Mayawati said the Constitution guarantees equal rights to people belonging to all religions and communities and urged people to respect religious beliefs and practices.
“Everyone has the right to live a peaceful and happy life on the basis of the religious scriptures, religious customs and beliefs of all faiths,” she said in a post on X.
On the hijab issue, the BSP chief said such matters should ideally be settled between schools, the government and the local administration.
“Instead of giving these matters undue importance and turning them into legal disputes in courts, they should be resolved at the local level through mutual understanding and wisdom between school management and the government and administration,” she said.
Mayawati also cautioned against using religious disputes for political purposes, saying such an approach would prevent anyone from engaging in “narrow politics” in the name of such issues.
BSP Says It Respects All Religions
Mayawati described the BSP as an Ambedkarite party committed to protecting the rights and interests of all sections of society.
“The BSP is an Ambedkarite party that guarantees respect for all sections of society and the safety of their lives, property and religion,” she said.
She also appealed to people to avoid making comments on sensitive matters related to religions, scriptures and beliefs.
Allahabad HC Hijab Verdict
The comments followed the Allahabad High Court’s decision to reject a plea filed by a minor student from a private school in Prayagraj. The student had sought permission to wear a hijab along with the prescribed school uniform.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has indicated that it may challenge the order.
AIMPLB member and cleric Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali said, “Hijab has always been an integral part of Islam. We will definitely approach the court and present our case.”
Mayawati Raises Budaun Ambedkar Statue Dispute
Mayawati also urged the Uttar Pradesh government to find a peaceful solution to a dispute over the installation of an Ambedkar statue in Budaun.
“It would be appropriate if the government and administration immediately finds a peaceful and proper solution to the ongoing dispute and tension in Badaun district over the installation of the statue of Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr B R Ambedkar,” she said.
The dispute turned violent on Tuesday evening, with stone-pelting leaving seven police personnel and a villager injured. More than 10 vehicles were damaged, while seven people were detained for questioning.
The administration said the statue had been installed on restricted government land and was later shifted to the tehsil complex.
