Search the Internet          Tips

Veils reappear in the valley

While the Jammu and Kashmir government is undertaking an ambitious exercise at vulnerable places to ensure the security of women, the veil is quickly reappearing in the valley.

A lesser-known militant outfit, Lashkar-e-Jabbar, had asked local women to adopt the purdah and fixed September 1 as the deadline for them to obey the orders.

In fact, the outfit had issued a complete dress code for Kashmiri women.

On the other hand, the state administration says, "We have finalised new security arrangements for all the educational institutions and government offices dominated by the women."

"All the vulnerable places will now be guarded. We have already discussed the security arrangements with all the heads of various educational institutions," says Minister of State for Home Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy.

"Islam does not believe in coercion. There will be no compromise in the overall protection to women," he adds.

Early this month unidentified activists of the Lashkar-e-Jabbar threw acid on two women teachers who were without veil and were returning from a school picnic in the old city of Srinagar.

Two other women were attacked in the south Kashmir town of Pulwama.

Prior to the two incidents, there was a silent campaign in south Kashmir with militants asking women to move around in purdah.

The campaign later spread to Srinagar and other towns.

The Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Hizbul Mujaheedin have clarified that "we don't believe in enforcing social changes".

Tailors in Srinagar have been flooded with orders from women and schoolgirls. Old Kashmiri women still wear the burkha. For the first time Kashmiri markets are flooded with veils from Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian abbaya costs Rs 1800 while the veil from Saudi Arabia costs Rs 2000.

In the light of tremendous demand from the city's womenfolk, shopkeepers from the downtown area have announced a grand burkha sale next week.

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report