Samajwadi Party’s Abu Asim Azmi defends Muslim women’s right to wear burqa, calls Rane’s demand “Unconstitutional and Hate Politics”
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion In dia
MUMBAI — Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane’s recent proposal to ban burqas at board examination centres has sparked a heated debate, with Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Asim Azmi strongly opposing the move. Rane, in a letter to State Education Minister Dada Bhuse, argued that the burqa could be used to facilitate cheating during exams and called for uniform rules for all students, regardless of religion.
However, Azmi has vehemently rejected the proposal, stating that the hijab and burqa are integral to Muslim religious practices. “Banning the burqa for Muslim students appearing for board exams is hate politics and unconstitutional,” Azmi said. He further urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to “shut the mouth of such people who spread hate.”
Azmi also suggested a practical solution to address concerns about cheating. “If anyone thinks that girls will cheat under the cover of burqa, women can search them in private before they enter the exam hall,” he said. Emphasising the importance of religious freedom, Azmi added, “Not every girl wears a burqa, but even if one girl out of 100 does, the law does not allow her to remove it.”
Rane’s controversial statement earlier this week had already stirred the pot. He asserted that the Maharashtra government, which follows the ideology of Hindutva, would not tolerate “politics of appeasement.” Rane said, “Those who want to wear hijab or burqa can do so at home, but not at examination centres. The rules that apply to Hindu students should also apply to Muslim students.”
The Congress party has also weighed in on the issue. Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of creating divisions for political gain. “The BJP has prepared some task forces that spread poison. They have given the responsibility to some leaders to create tension between religions and castes. This is how they get votes,” Wadettiwar said.
The debate has reignited discussions about religious freedom and secularism in India.
As the controversy unfolds, the focus remains on whether the Maharashtra government will act on Rane’s proposal or heed Azmi’s call to protect the constitutional rights of Muslim women. For now, the burqa debate continues to polarise opinions, reflecting deeper societal divides.
In Azmi’s words, “The law protects the rights of every individual, and no one can force a girl to remove her burqa. This is not just about clothing; it’s about respect and dignity.”
