Rajeshwar Singh
Lucknow: Sarojininagar MLA Rajeshwar Singh welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s reported proposal to restrict burqas and niqabs in schools, saying educational institutions should follow uniform rules while upholding women’s dignity, equality and access to education. Singh said the reported proposal should be viewed in the context of concerns over women’s rights and education in countries facing challenges related to extremism.
“Remaining silent on extremism is not liberalism—it is a betrayal of women’s rights,” Singh said, asserting that women’s rights, education and equality should remain above political considerations. Referring to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, he cited restrictions on girls’ education, child marriage, violence against women, forced conversions and the security of minority women as issues requiring attention.
Calling upon Congress and the Samajwadi Party to take a clear position, Singh said, “Congress-SP must choose—women’s equality or vote-bank appeasement. He said political parties should place the rights, dignity and future of daughters above electoral considerations. He said schools should promote confidence, independent thinking and equal citizenship. “Our vision is an India where every daughter studies with freedom and confidence, and where her identity is defined by her talent—not by veils, restrictions or extremism,” he said.
Singh advocated uniform and secular rules in educational institutions, including mandatory prescribed uniforms and restrictions on face coverings inside classrooms except for medical reasons.