Mayawati: Resolve Hijab Row Locally, Avoid 'Narrow Politics'

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on Wednesday said the ongoing row over the wearing of hijab in schools should be resolved at the local level and not be used for "narrow politics". She also appealed to the Uttar Pradesh government to find a peaceful solution to the tension in Budaun district over the installation of a statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

In a post on X, the former chief minister stressed that the Constitution, framed under the leadership of Dr Ambedkar, guarantees equal rights to people of all religions and communities. "Everyone has the right to live a peaceful and happy life on the basis of the religious scriptures, religious customs and beliefs of all faiths," she wrote, while urging all sections to respect the sanctity of religious beliefs and practices.

On the hijab issue, Mayawati said such matters should not be given "undue importance" or turned into legal disputes in courts. "They should be resolved at the local level through mutual understanding and wisdom between school management and the government and administration," she said. This, she added, would ensure that no one gets an opportunity to engage in "narrow politics" under the guise of such disputes.

The BSP chief described her organisation as an "Ambedkarite party" that guarantees respect for all sections of society and the safety of their lives, property and religion. She asked people to refrain from making comments on sensitive matters concerning any religion, religious scriptures or beliefs.

Mayawati's remarks come days after the Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition by a minor girl student of a private school in Prayagraj, who had sought permission to wear a hijab along with the school uniform. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has indicated it is likely to challenge the order. AIMPLB member and cleric Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali said: "Hijab has always been an integral part of Islam. We will definitely approach the court and present our case."

Separately, a dispute has been brewing in Budaun district over the installation of an Ambedkar statue. The situation escalated on Tuesday evening, when stone-pelting broke out, leaving seven police personnel and a villager injured. More than ten vehicles were damaged, and seven people were detained for questioning. The administration said the statue had been installed on restricted government land and was subsequently moved to the tehsil complex.

In her statement, Mayawati urged the state government and administration to "immediately find a peaceful and proper solution" to the ongoing tension in Budaun. "It would be appropriate if the government and administration immediately finds a peaceful and proper solution to the ongoing dispute and tension in Badaun district over the installation of the statue of Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr B R Ambedkar," she said.

The BSP's position reflects its traditional focus on Dalit rights and its attempt to maintain a balance between religious and caste-based social equations. Mayawati's emphasis on local resolution and Constitutional principles comes at a time when issues involving religious symbols are being litigated in courts and discussed across political platforms.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board's planned challenge may lead to further legal scrutiny of the hijab matter. Observers note that such cases raise questions about the boundaries between religious freedom and institutional dress codes. However, Mayawati's appeal suggests a desire to keep such disputes out of the political arena.

The Budaun incident has also drawn attention to the need for careful handling of memorials associated with Dr Ambedkar, who is revered as a symbol of social justice. The administration's decision to relocate the statue was taken to control the tensions. Local authorities are engaged in steps to restore normalcy.

As the legal and administrative processes continue, Mayawati's call for mutual understanding offers an alternative approach. She maintains that peaceful coexistence can be ensured by respecting the beliefs of all communities, without compromising on constitutional rights.