News India Live, Digital Desk: A big news is coming out from the European country Austria, which has started a new debate across the world. The Parliament here has approved a bill under which girl students have now been banned from wearing headscarf in primary schools. If you understand in simple language, now girls in Austrian schools will not be able to sit in class wearing clothes like Hijab or Burqa, which completely covers the head. Ever since this decision came, the Muslim community and many human rights organizations have been expressing their concerns. What is the logic of the government? The ruling parties that brought this bill say that this decision is necessary for ‘social integration’. The government argues that they do not want any kind of religious pressure on underage girls. At the same time, they want to bring “equality” in schools so that all children look the same and do not create a “parallel society”. Government spokespersons say that the main work of children in school is to study and socialize with each other, and such clothes hinder this. Who will be affected? However, the word ‘Muslim’ is not used directly in the language of the law. It reads that “any clothing that is ideologically or religiously influenced and covers the head completely,” is banned. But critics clearly say that its direct target is the hijab of Muslim girls. Interestingly, this law has been made in such a way that the ‘Patka’ of the Sikh community or the ‘Kippah’ of the Jewish community will probably not come under its purview, because they do not cover the head ‘completely’ or do not cover the hair in that way. The opposition there had raised questions regarding this discrimination, but due to the majority in the Parliament, the bill was passed. Austria on the path of France? You will remember that before this, countries like France and Belgium have also banned religious symbols and burqa in public places and schools. Now Austria has also joined this list. Muslim organizations there have called this decision an “attack on religious freedom” and have said that they will challenge it in the court. This news has become a topic of discussion for the whole world including India, because it directly draws a line between personal freedom and government rules. Now it has to be seen what kind of atmosphere prevails in the schools there after the implementation of this law.
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