Under Cover

In deciding to wear the hijab, a woman makes a statement about herself as much as about the society she lives in

We see the burkha as a very visible symbol of Islam. But in my experience, I have found that women interact with this piece of clothing in varied ways, mostly to shield, often to mask and sometimes to camouflage. Whatever the motivations, in deciding to wear the hijab, a woman makes a statement about herself as much as about the society she lives in

1 “I wear the burkha to please Allah,” says Arshi Khan, a student at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi, who still keeps the fashion quotient high with her shocking pink contrast bag 

2 & 3 “I am as modern as any other 28-year-old. I too wear expensive lingerie and shorts to entice my spouse within the four walls of our room,” says Sehba Jafri, a former convent school teacher in Bhopal. However, when she steps out, she dons a burkha as expected of a Muslim housewife

4 It’s not the most comfortable sports gear, but Gul would rather wear a burkha on her early morning jogs in New Delhi. It makes her feel more secure

5 & 6 Feeling targeted is something a woman, even in a burkha, must get used to. Her security blanket, ironically, makes her stand out in a crowd; many spend hours in the gym to battle this sense of vulnerability

7 For Nidhi, the burkha is not a religious diktat, it’s the perfect foil. It assures her anonymity. It acts as an equaliser. A commercial sex worker at Kabari Bazar, Meerut, she manages to get quite a few respectful glances as she walks down the streets to shop in a hijab. It’s another matter that she actually seeks out the leering advances of prospective clients once she gets down to work

8 Burkha tailors tend to be men. Muslim women have to cover themselves in loose clothing while getting their measurements taken

9 In January 2010, the Supreme Court ordered that women who refused to lift their veil should not be issued voter identity cards by the Election Commission. Burkha-clad women have to reveal their identities to the polling officer in order to have their votes counted

10 The veil as an art statement drew much attention at the India Art Summit that took place in New Delhi this January

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arindam