'Ban violates religious...': United States ambassador wades into Hijab row

Commenting on the controversy around hijab in Karnataka’s educational institutions, the United States has said that hijab bans in schools “violate religious freedom”, and Karnataka should not “determine the permissibility of religious clothing”. In a tweet, Rashad Hussain, the US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, said, “Religious freedom includes the ability to choose one’s religious attire. The Indian state of Karnataka should not determine the permissibility of religious clothing.” He added, “Hijab bans in schools violate religious freedom and stigmatize and marginalize women and girls (sic).” Watch full video.