Isn’t it intriguing how, in Iran, women are boldly defying the hijab and burqa, rejecting what they see as symbols of oppression? Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, women are rallying to defend their right to wear these very same garments, calling it personal freedom. The irony is palpable.
A couple of years ago in India, Muslim students and teachers were forced to remove their burqas and hijabs in states like Karnataka, triggering a nationwide uproar. They argued, quite passionately, that it’s their fundamental right to dress according to their religious or social customs. We saw similar reactions in the West, including Canada, where attempts to ban the burqa led to protests from Muslim women and their progressive allies.
Now, I’m all for personal freedom, but let’s be honest—the burqa isn’t just a piece of clothing; it’s a tool of control. The hijab is fine. It covers the head, but the face and identity remain visible. The burqa, on the other hand, wipes out individual identity, reducing women to faceless figures in public. And this isn’t some divine mandate—it’s a construct of male-dominated societies that have, over centuries, shackled women’s autonomy under the guise of “tradition.”
But here’s the kicker: many women defend the burqa as their right. It’s tragic because this so-called “freedom” has been fed to them by the very patriarchy that sought to control them. It’s like celebrating the chains that hold you down. And let’s not ignore the health implications—being completely shrouded in cloth deprives women of sunlight, the primary source of vitamin D, essential for bone health and overall well-being. But guess who doesn’t wear the burqa? Men. Why? Because the rules weren’t made for them, only for women.
Muslim women need to take a hard look at this tradition. Is it truly about freedom, or are they still trapped in a mindset built by patriarchs? The real fight for freedom isn’t about keeping the burqa—it’s about shedding the chains that come with it.
Promod Puri.com 