Congress firmly backs women's right to choose attire amid hijab debate

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Tuesday asserted that the party stands firmly for women's bodily autonomy and agency, saying every woman, irrespective of caste, class, or religion, has the right to choose what she wears. His remarks came on a day when the Allahabad High Court ruled that wearing the hijab could not be established as an “essential religious practice” of Islam.

In a post on social media platform X, Mr. Khera said, “Whether the hijab is essential to Islam or not is for religious scholars to decide. From a socio-political standpoint, we stand firmly for women's bodily autonomy and agency.” He added, “Every woman, irrespective of caste, class or religion, is entitled to wear what she chooses — hijab, ghoonghat or anything else,” using the hashtags #BreakTheCage and #SmashThePatriarchy.

The Congress leader's comments come amid a political row triggered by the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) attack on his party leader Rahul Gandhi over remarks on the Manusmriti during the Congress's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme in Pune on Saturday. The BJP accused Mr. Gandhi of selectively targeting a Hindu religious text while talking about “smash the patriarchy” and questioned why he had not made similar remarks about religious texts of other faiths.

Mr. Khera's response appeared to place the Congress's position in the broader context of women's autonomy, drawing a distinction between questions of religious interpretation and a woman's right to decide what she wears. This framing shifts the debate from specific religious texts to a universal principle of individual choice.

The Allahabad High Court's order, which Mr. Khera did not directly reference, added another layer to the discussion. The court's observation that hijab is not an essential religious practice under Islam has implications for ongoing legal and social debates around religious attire and personal freedom. However, Mr. Khera emphasised that the Congress's support for a woman's choice is independent of any particular religious determination.

Political observers note that the exchange reflects a broader pattern in Indian politics, where issues of religious identity and gender rights often intersect. The Congress has attempted to position itself as a defender of personal liberties, while the BJP has sought to highlight perceived inconsistencies in its rival's stance on religious texts.

The debate over the hijab and other forms of attire has been a recurring theme in Indian public discourse, with differing opinions across religious and political lines. Court rulings and political statements have often drawn attention to the balance between religious freedom, personal choice, and social norms.

Mr. Khera's statement did not directly address the specific allegations made by the BJP against Rahul Gandhi, but it did reiterate the Congress's commitment to women's autonomy as a core principle. The timing of the post, coinciding with the High Court order, suggests an attempt to consolidate the party's position on a matter that resonates with its support base.

As the political discourse continues, the focus remains on how these statements translate into policy and public debate. The Congress's emphasis on bodily autonomy is likely to be a key theme in the run-up to forthcoming elections, as parties seek to articulate their vision on social issues.

The BJP has not yet responded to Mr. Khera's latest remarks. It remains to be seen whether the exchange will escalate or whether both parties will move on to other issues.