Hijab row: " if they want to wear hijab, it's their personal”, says boxing champ Nikhat

Boxing world champion Nikhat Zareen on Monday gave her take on the flaming controversy over wearing hijab in schools and colleges. In an interview with a news channel, she said that one’s attire is his/her personal choice. 

"It is their own choice. I can't comment on their choices. I have my own choice. I like to wear such clothes. I don't mind wearing such clothes. My family doesn't mind me wearing such clothes. So, I don't care what people say about me," she said.

The Boxing star further added, "But if they want to wear hijab and follow their religion, it's their personal choice. I don't have any problem with them wearing hijabs. After all, it's their own choice. I am okay with that."

The hijab controversy was sparked in Karnataka late last year after some groups objected to girls attending classes wearing hijabs. Soon the controversy gained momentum and protests against the ban resonated across the country.

In March, the Karnataka High Court had decided to uphold, ruling that hijabs were not an essential religious practice that can be protected under the Right to Freedom of Religion.