Dress Controversies

Horrendous controversies are generated by different forms of attire. In Turkey wearing of hijab is outlawed. This has led to furious legal and political controversies. On the other hand, in Islamic countries hijab is mandatory and breach of this requirement entails adverse consequences. Regulations in some countries for removal of turbans by persons engaged in certain occupations is perceived by the Sikhs as an infringement of their religious freedom and are fiercely resisted.

In our country people are free to don any attire of their choice within the bounds of decency. The Darul Ifta in Deoband has recently issued a strange fatwa banning wearing of a tie on the ground that it is an emblem of Christians, and adopting the emblem of any religion is against the tenets of Islam. Since when has tie become an ‘emblem of Christians’? Numerous non-Christians, including some Muslims, wear a tie without associating any religion with it. A girl’s school in Kolkata does not permit teachers to wear salwar-kameez and insists they change to saris before taking classes. Tradition is invoked for this bizarre decision. Teacher Kasturi Sen has resolved to take on the school authorities. Her petition to the managing committee is pending decision. One hopes rationality will prevail.

A piquant situation arose in the Bombay High Court in the forties in a trial action before Justice Blagden. The plaintiff, a fully veiled Muslim lady stepped into the witness box. Demeanor of a person is extremely important when the fate of a case depends upon acceptance or rejection of oral testimony. Justice Blagden ingeniously resolved the knotty problem by requesting the lady plaintiff to slightly lower the veil so that he could observe her eyes and demeanor whilst she was testifying. Lawyers representing her agreed to the judge’s suggestion. It is rumoured that Justice Blagden was so struck by the beauty and sharpness of the plaintiff’s eyes that he unhesitatingly accepted her testimony and decided in her favour. Should justice be really blind?

Olympic Gold

Abhinav Bindra has truly made India proud by bagging the gold medal for shooting in the 2008 Olympics. Several state governments like Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Bihar that have played no role in Bindra’s success have announced rewards for him. Glowing tributes have been justly paid to Abhinav. His response was exemplary. “When I won the medal my only thought was why couldn’t we have done this before? I am just happy to have brought joy to everybody — it was my day”. His mother’s touching reaction was that Abhinav should now have no difficulty in getting a bride. None at all. Indeed there will be a long queue for the hero and there should be no problem for Bindra to hit the Bull’s eye.