Hijab not being made mandatory in colleges, clarifies Punjab govt

LAHORE: The Punjab government has rejected reports that it is considering a proposal to make hijab mandatory for college girls, hours after a statement by the provincial higher education minister.

The issue arose on Tuesday when Punjab Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Gillani proposed that college girls wearing hijab be given five per cent attendance relaxation.

"We want to give an incentive to the girls for wearing hijab," said the minister during a meeting of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education in Lahore, adding that the measure was aimed at promoting hijab-culture in Punjab.

But a spokesman for the provincial government quickly rejected the report, saying no such decision had been taken or was being considered by the provincial government.

A spokesman for the Punjab government said academic excellence based on merit…[is] clear policy of the government of Punjab".

"This is absolutely WRONG news ... No such policy announced by Government of the Punjab," said the spokesman. 

5% marks for Hijab students is absolutely WRONG news...  Academic excellence only based on MERIT.. It's clear policy of the Govt of Punjab.

— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) March 14, 2017

Speaking to Geo News following the government's denial, the minister claimed that it was only a proposal and no final decision had been taken in this regard.

"My statement was misreported. No decision was taken in this regard and it is only a proposal. There were 5-6 other proposals as well but media only highlighted this one," he said.

Stark contrast to PM's speech against religious discrimination

Ironically, the provincial higher education minister's proposal came hours after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said his government stood for the "religious freedom of all communities and, without discrimination, [ensuring them] equal rights as enshrined in the Constitution".

Addressing a ceremony to mark the Hindu festival of Holi, the prime minister said his government was "committed to ensure equal opportunities for all the communities".

But the views expressed by the prime minister in Karachi stood in stark contrast to the proposal by the Punjab higher education minister, leading observers to question if the government was on the same page regarding its policies against religious discrimination.

Social media responded strongly to the provincial minister's statement, with some claiming the proposed measure may lead to discrimination against non-Muslim students.

Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, younger sister of PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, was one of the first on social media to question the proposal, asking why wearing hijab should impact a student's academic results.

.... and what will the boys do? What will students of a different religion do? Why does wearing a Hijab impact grades/marks ?! https://t.co/kgxlPveRpG

— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) March 14, 2017

.@GovtOfPunjab decides to giv 5 marks to students who wear hijab.Wat abt boys?Can Saleem wear a scarf n get marks?Wat abt non Muslim stdnts? pic.twitter.com/NEzFUCToxf

— Ali Gul Pir (@Aligulpir) March 14, 2017

Others welcomed the provincial government's quick rebuttal of the minister's statements.

Glad that Punjab Govt spokeperson reiterates that the Govt believes in judging men and women on merit and not on apparel @SMCU

— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) March 14, 2017

Over-centralisation leads to chaos and confusion. Case in point: Hijab for students and different @GovtOfPunjab versions on the issue.

— Abbas Nasir (@abbasnasir59) March 14, 2017