There is no ban on wearing Hijab in India, says Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Sunday that there is no ban on wearing the headscarf in India.

Amid the hijab controversy in Karnataka, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday said there is no ban on wearing the headscarf in the country, and people need to understand that constitutional rights and duties are equally important.

Speaking to reporters here, the Minister for Minority Affairs said, "The matter is in court...There is no ban on [wearing of] Hijab in India. It is clear...Of course, some institutions have their own discipline, dress code and uniform. When we talk of rights of the Constitution, then we have to talk [understand importance] of Constitutional duties also."

However, he did not elaborate.

READ | Karnataka HC reserves its judgment in hijab case after 11 days of hearing

Earlier, Naqvi, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism G Kishan Reddy and Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, inaugurated the 37th “Hunar Haat” here.

Naqvi noted that “Hunar Haat”, which is an “Efficient Effort to Empower” artisans and craftsmen, has provided employment and job opportunities to about eight lakh artisans and craftsmen in the last seven years.

Hunar Haat has become a "credible brand” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign of “Self-reliant India” and “Vocal for Local”.