Delhi: BJP councilor bans 'religious attire' in South MCD schools
The chairperson of the education committee of South Delhi Municipal Corporation, BJP councilor Nitika Sharma, has written to officials to ensure that no student comes to MCD schools in "religious attire." The letter further states that students can only deviate from the school uniform during competitions or festivities. Meanwhile, the Delhi government's education department said there are no such instructions in Delhi government schools.
Why does this story matter?
The letter comes days after a parent of a Class-VI student in a Delhi government school in Northeast Delhi's Tukhmirpur complained to the local MLA that his daughter had been asked to remove her headscarf by her teacher. Notably, the news comes amid the ongoing controversy in Karnataka over wearing hijabs in classrooms. The Karnataka High Court is hearing a case in this regard.
Tukhmirpur school incident prompted the order: Sharma
Sharma told The Indian Express that she wrote the letter after the Tukhmirpur school incident. She said it was written to "ensure that such an incident doesn't happen in schools under our jurisdiction." In her letter, too, she criticized parents who send students in "religious attire," saying it creates a "mentality of inequality among the children, which is not good for their future."
'No inferiority complex between rich, poor students due to uniform'
In her letter, Sharma said SDMC prescribed students with school uniforms in the primary schools, and students look "very beautiful" in their uniforms. "From time to time, the corporation keeps changing the color of the uniform, due to which there is no inferiority complex between the rich and poor children studying in school," the letter said.
The rule will not apply to Sikhs wearing turbans: Sharma
When asked if the same rule will be applicable to students wearing turbans, Sharma said, "No, that is different. Turbans are needed to tie hair." "In every school, Sikhs come in a turban and no correlation should be drawn," she added.
Matter was politicized: Sisodia
Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday said the Tukhmirpur school incident was being politicized and students from all religions were treated with dignity in Delhi government schools. "There is no restriction from our side, and their traditions are respected," Sisodia added. He further said he inquired about the incident and "don't think there is a problem."
No such instruction in Delhi government schools: Education department
Meanwhile, the education department of the Delhi government said they have no information about the SDMC order, and there are no such instructions in Delhi government schools. Notably, the Delhi government education department doesn't govern the municipal schools.
