In hijab row, critics say India's BJP looking for votes in southern state


  • World
  • Friday, 18 Feb 2022

FILE PHOTO: A woman waves the Indian flag as others hold placards during a protest against the recent hijab ban in schools in Karnataka state, on the outskirts of Mumbai, India, February 13, 2022. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo

UDUPI, India (Reuters) - A series of religious laws promoted by India's ruling Hindu nationalist party in the southern state of Karnataka, including a ban on the wearing of hijabs, is raising concerns the divisive measures will stoke sectarian tensions more prevalent in the country's north.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently banned wearing the hijab in classrooms in Karnataka, the only one of India's five southern states it rules. A proposal to make religious conversions largely illegal is being considered by the local legislature.

Subscribe or renew your subscriptions to win prizes worth up to RM68,000!

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

USC int'l students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration: report
Israel's 12-month budget deficit shrinks to 7.7 pct of GDP in Nov.
European countries put Syrian asylum bids on hold after Assad's fall
Experts call for investing in infrastructure to speed up industrialization in Africa
Global goods trade to expand at moderate pace in Q4: WTO
Ghana's ex-president Mahama wins presidential election with 56.55% of vote, electoral commission says
UN refugee chief urges patience as Syrian refugees weigh options
U.S. company Mondelez mulls takeover of chocolate maker Hershey
France's Macron to convene all political parties willing to compromise to form a government - source
Merriam-Webster has "polarization" as 2024 Word of the Year

Others Also Read