In a shocking remark amid the hijab row, Karnataka Congress MLA BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan on Sunday, February 13 stated that incidents of rape are on high in India and wearing the hijab will protect Muslim women from getting raped in the country. Defending his statement, he stated that he only gave his point of view and he doesn't know what others think on the issue. "The beauty of women is not supposed to be exposed. No one should set their eyes upon them. Muslim women have been wearing hijab since long back," he maintained.
“Few people among us do not wear hijab. It is not mandatory to wear hijab, however I have asked our women to wear hijab for their safety. Please come to debate with me after getting the statistics of rape in the country,” he added. He maintained that according to Islam “everyone should perform namaz for five times” but many do not perform. "If women wear hijab, the incidents of rape would come down," he said.
The Congress MLA in Hubballi also stated, "Hijab means purda in Islam and if women don't wear hijab there are chances of them getting raped. Why there is an increase in rape cases in the country? It is because women are not behind purda (hijab). Women should wear hijab to conceal their beauty.".
"Wearing hijab is right of Muslim women. They have been wearing hijab for hundreds of years. The government took the issue very lightly when it began," he claimed
Further, students as the assets of the nation, the Congress MLA said, "Ruling BJP is using students for political gains and they are ready to sacrifice anybody to attain power."
His statement was slammed on social media, and was termed as regressive and misogynist.
“Regressive, misogynist words by KA Congress leaders—CM Ibrahim, @BZZameerAhmedK, etc—ironically hurt cause of #hijab-in-school backers. A woman’s clothing or age has nothing to do w/ rape—Zameer’s claim that women get raped when they don’t wear hijabs is unadulterated demagoguery,” wrote actor Chetan Ahimsa.
Regressive, misogynist words by KA Congress leaders—CM Ibrahim, @BZZameerAhmedK, etc—ironically hurt cause of #hijab-in-school backers
— Chetan Kumar Ahimsa / ಚೇತನ್ ಅಹಿಂಸಾ (@ChetanAhimsa) February 13, 2022
A woman’s clothing or age has nothing to do w/ rape—Zameer’s claim that women get raped when they don’t wear hijabs is unadulterated demagoguery pic.twitter.com/Lkw7I7Jzo5
Another user questioned what kind of regressive thinking this is.
What sort of a REASONING IS this Janab @BZZameerAhmedK .Will @RahulGandhi @priyankagandhi @siddaramaiah @DKShivakumar Ask for an explanation over this REGRESSIVE STATEMENT?
— Anand K.Vajapeyam (@vajapeyam) February 14, 2022
"Rapes Because Women Don't Wear Hijab": Karnataka Congress MLA's Shocker https://t.co/pfLFhZj5c6 via @ndtv
@BZZameerAhmedK rale victims are aged from few months old baby to 70+ ,also there is marital rape.
— ಕ್ರುಶಿಕ ಎವಿ/Krushika AV (@KrishKrushik) February 14, 2022
Talk some logic.
If anyone has to wear to protect women then it's the men. So kindly start wearing burka. https://t.co/pgelbEB3lS
Rapes happen because men rape.
— Sabina Basha (@SabinaBasha) February 13, 2022
Shame on you, @BZZameerAhmedK . Apologise. https://t.co/Bx48kavV2o
With IANS inputs