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The Hijab Debate: Subjugation sold as Freedom

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Is Hijab a symbol of resistance against so-called majoritarianism or a step towards Talibanisation? Is it assertion of religious identity or subjugation of women in the guise of freedom? Before you choose a side in this debate, you must know full facts and arguments. Here is a short but comprehensive guide.

Journalist Swati Goel Sharma and data scientist Sanjeev Newar co-authored this book to address all major arguments that have come up in this debate, whether in legal battles or in public discussions.

The book traces history of the veil and advent of purdah system in India, shows ambiguities in sanction to Hijab in scriptures, elaborates on violent enforcement of Hijab by radicals, busts frivolous comparisons of Hijab with bindi and bangles, and raises an alarm on growing influence of terrorist organisations in pro-Hijab protests as these give a boost to their nefarious agenda.

129 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2022

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Swati Goel Sharma

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Shikhar.
52 reviews9 followers
November 2, 2022
This book turned out to be exactly what I wanted on the Hijab issue - covers all arguments, pace is fast, great logical rebuttals, superb research. Language is good and crisp. Quality work! :)
114 reviews
October 20, 2022
The Hijab Debate is a book written by Sanjeev Newar and Swati Goel Sharma covering all major arguments, and a passionate plea to readers to gather full facts before choosing a side.
67 reviews14 followers
December 14, 2022
The hijab demand is now being raised across schools and colleges in the country. And it is going on to increase. Read the book The Hijab Debate by Swati Goel Sharma and Sanjeev Newar to know the truth.
1 review
October 23, 2022
Comprehensive, concise and fact based

The presentation of the facts were succinct and it honestly focused on the area of true freedom of women. It pains to see the state of some women of Bharat in 2022 that what they think is empowerment!
Profile Image for Nishu Thakur.
129 reviews
December 14, 2022
A must read book on this Hijab issue. It will give clarity and understanding. Don't choose any side before understanding the core. Read this book, it will give you better perspective. A well researched book with references and logical explanation.
Profile Image for Ritu.
40 reviews24 followers
May 20, 2023
As the title suggests, the purpose of this book is to present a comprehensive range of arguments surrounding the recurring issue of the hijab (including full body cloak) worldwide. It also sheds light on the legal aspects of the argument which took place in Karnataka in early to mid 2022.

The book opens by shedding light on the diminishing prevalence of the hijab in various Islamic countries and the lighthearted manner in which Bollywood used to treat veiling in their well known songs. However, it highlights the significant impact of the Islamic revolution of Iran in 1979, which led to a resurgence of orthodoxy and a shift in attitudes towards the veiling.

They also mention a similar incident in France in 1989, which marked the beginning of demands for veiling in educational and public institutions. The book highlights the ongoing struggle of the French government to address these issues. And how, for these reasons, France has been a target of terrorism in the last few decades.

The book covers several important points. To list a few:
-the scriptural context of hijab,
-its status as a religious practice and personal choice,
-the comparison of veiling to other religious symbols like the crucifix, bindi, mangalsutra, and Sikh turban.
- the Quranic definition of hijab and purdah (veiling).
- the question of whether everything in scripture should be taken seriously (especially those related to the treatment of non-believers).
- Possible repercussions on women who don't wear it.
- Effects on veiling on their physical and mental health.
- It also delves into the historical origins of veiling and its implications in modern societies, particularly in inclusive countries like India.
- Touches upon the origin of ghoonghat tradition in the Hindu society.
- Poses the question of what would happen if other religions too started using scripture to justify their essential religious practices at educational, and professional organizations.

Moreover, the book highlights the far-reaching ripple effects of these debates, which are not confined to a single country or region but have an impact on a global scale.

In summary, the book argues that the notion of hijab or veiling as a compulsory religious practice lacks solid proof. Highlighting how hijab/veiling has often been used as a tool for the subjugation of women, with dire consequences for those who choose not to adhere to it, as seen in the cases of Mahsa Amini in Iran and countless women in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. It also observes a shifting perspective in the birthplace of Islam, as even the land of Mecca is moving towards dissociating hijab from being an essential religious practice.

This book is to the point, on such a complex and contentious matter. Great research and references. A scholarly work indeed. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Adarsh ಆದರ್ಶ.
115 reviews24 followers
December 13, 2023
At the time I’m reading this book there has been an incident of Hijab wearing women have breached their boundaries and have planted camera traps in girls restrooms to snoop on their Hindu friends and sending those images, videos to their Muslim brothers in the same place of Mangaluru of Karnataka.

Above mentioned is directly related to the Hijab controversy last year. Hijab is just a tip of the iceberg for Islamic jihad waged. To clearly distinguish between Muslim women and Non Muslim women. So I guess it is vile propaganda of terror linked islamic org’s like PFI,CPI in general to wage their holy wars. An eye opener book truly researched and well written one. Debunks most myth of one religion and its teachings which tries to manipulate the world to its whims and desires. There are few people here on GR who act like that cult is most peaceful and people are misjudging it. No we all know where you stand in terms of diversity and inclusion.

Have made few notes visible. Its sums up the debate and at any cost it should be suppressed.

Vande Mataram
Profile Image for Bhawna Sharma.
111 reviews
December 27, 2024
It's a good book based on the controversy over the hijab in Karnataka schools in India.World Hijab Day is something I wasn't aware of before, but I believe it will soon be embraced by non-Muslim girls in India. It will be viewed as a symbol of empowered women, progress, smashing patriarchy, and of course, secularism.
94 reviews18 followers
October 27, 2022
Go for it. It will give you proper understanding on this subject.
Profile Image for Jay Mehta.
83 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2023
Definitely to be read. This book reflects the high quality and nuanced work one would expect from the authors.
The book, in addition to the points raised during the court proceedings, also covers, in detail, the history of the Hijab (and related variants of terms and clothing) in the Middle East and North Africa. Very interesting points and information.
This book is surely an important read if you are going to face any debate or discussion around the topic in the multicultural society that we live in.
Profile Image for Ashish Iyer.
870 reviews634 followers
January 3, 2024
One of the important books of our time. Every Indian should read this book. It's clear all of our misconceptions. This book even goes through all those verses that are mentioned in Quran. It is necessary to understand the hidden agenda behind this hijab and we need to understand the appeasement done by political parties. The book doesn't even divert from the core issue. It even goes back to history to understand the context and what may happen if we support such a thing. Very logical book and very well researched book. It definitely deserves a read. Before choosing any side, do read this book.
Profile Image for Lakshit Sen.
63 reviews
May 20, 2024
Eye-opening. Especially, the statement by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar about the health deterioration caused due to wearing of niqab. The evidence enumerates the ploys adopted by wokes to cause ruckus in the society using the religion.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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