Hijab Row In MP School, Probe Ordered

The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday ordered a probe after a controversy broke out over a poster in which girls including Hindu girls were seen wearing headscarves that looked like hijab.

State home minister Narottam Mishra said that the issue was first investigated by the district education officer. "No complaint was received in this regard. In view of the seriousness of the issue, the superintendent of police has been instructed to thoroughly investigate it," he said.

On the other hand, Hindu groups held a protest at the district collector's office and submitted a memorandum demanding cancellation of the school's registration. They alleged that the school is forcing Hindu girl students to wear a hijab.

However, Damoh Collector Mayank Agrawal said a probe was conducted earlier about the allegation of religious conversion but it was not found to be true. He also clarified that the allegation had no substance.

A team comprising the tehsildar, district education officer and police officials is being formed to probe the matter, the collector said later following the home minister's instructions.

Meanwhile, school owner Mustaq Khan said that the uniform included the headscarf and nobody was forced to wear it.

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairman Priyank Kanoonago said in a tweet that a complaint has been received about a school in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh district "forcing Hindu and other non-Muslim girls to wear burqas and hijab" in the name of uniform.

Priyank Kanoonago said that Cognisance is being taken and instructions are being sent to Damoh collector and superintendent of police for necessary action.