Snatching a Woman’s Hijab Is an Immoral and Inhumane Act: Khurram Nawaz Gandapur

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Secretary General of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, strongly condemned the incident in Bihar, India, in which the hijab of a Muslim woman was pulled off, describing it as a direct attack on human rights, women’s dignity, and religious freedom. He stated that such shameful incidents not only negate democratic values but also represent a dangerous precedent of targeting a particular community.

He said that interference by the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, in a woman’s religious attire or personal boundaries is blatantly unethical and highly condemnable. The hijab, he emphasized, is a personal and religious right of every woman, and its respect is obligatory upon every state and every government. He added that those in positions of power are expected to be guardians of the law and the constitution, not a source of humiliation for citizens.

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur termed the incident a violation of international human rights conventions as well as principles relating to religious freedom and the protection of women. He said that such acts promote intolerance, prejudice, and hatred. He stressed that the law must be equal for all, and no office or position should ever be used as a justification for violating human rights.

The Secretary General of Pakistan Awami Tehreek further stated that the veil or hijab is an integral part of a Muslim woman’s religious identity and personal freedom, and forcibly removing it constitutes an assault on her autonomy. He emphasized that such incidents fuel hatred, intolerance, and discrimination within societies and must be discouraged at every level.

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur concluded by saying that those who speak globally about the protection of human rights must seriously take notice of such incidents so that the principles of religious freedom, respect for women, and human dignity can be ensured in practice.