From Kemal Pasha's Turkey to Nicolas Sarkozy's France, the row over hijab and burqa

Hijab is a traditional Islamic headscarf covering the head and hair, but not the face. The burqa covers the face, and the same garment may cover the rest of the body. Here are the instances when it hit the headlines in various nations.

The Karnataka hijab row has triggered a larger debate in India about regulations for uniforms in colleges and schools and freedom of clothing choice with or without religious beliefs. Such debates are neither new nor limited to India. Many countries, particularly in the Middle East, have rules for dressing, especially for women.

The Karnataka row emerged from opposition from a group of students who insisted on attending classes while wearing a hijab or burqa. Their insistence on wearing the particular dress turned into a protest against the February 5 order issued by the Karnataka government.

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The government order said banning hijabs for students while attending classes was not a violation of religious freedom guaranteed under the Constitution.

Hijab is a traditional Islamic headscarf covering the head and hair, but not the face. The burqa covers the face, and the same garment may cover the rest of the body.

These garments recently became international headlines when the Taliban re-imposed the law in Afghanistan, making hijab, burqa, abaya (full-length garment) or niqab (clothing to cover face) mandatory for women in public or meeting men outside of the family.

The campaign against hijab and burqa is at least a century old. The biggest proponent of discarding such dress restrictions guided by religious consideration was Kemal Pasha Ataturk of Turkey. Kemal Pasha is fondly called the father of the modern Turkish nation.