It’s about dress code, not racism

THE EDITOR: On the topic of the dispute between the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) and the Muslim teacher who was refused entry into the Lakshmi Hindu Girls’ College because she was wearing a hijab, I have seen some commenters on social media suggest, I believe erroneously, that the action was racially motivated.

Such comments were few but because they seem to have no basis in reality they should be corrected immediately. Furthermore, the inaccurate framing, as I see it, of this issue in a racial context would serve only to fray our social fabric.

I will gladly accept correction if I am wrong but from what I have seen and heard in the media, the refusal of entry was based solely on the dictates of the dress code for that institution. Whether the enforcement of such a dress code is permissible in a court of law is another matter. How does racism even enter into the discussion?

The minor attempts to bring race into this appear to be a few Trinis imitating the American leftist propensity to bring racial grievances into everything. We must not abide such wickedness in our land.

In a sense this woman was allowed entry on the condition that she complies with the dress code of the organisation that owns and operates the compound. If it is her choice, for whatever, reason, to wear a hijab – and we have no right to question that choice – then what gives her the right to question the conditions set by another religious body for entry onto its private compound? By the way, couldn’t she have just taken off the hijab while on the premises and put it on back as she left? I though the women of this religion have freedom of conscience? We have to draw the line somewhere.

How is she owed anything by the Maha Sabha who is not obligated to accept OJTs? Whatever my errors in logic or facts, one thing can be almost certain coming out of this – other young, teacher trainees may suffer because of this woman’s sense of entitlement. The leader of the SDMS, in a newspaper interview, stated that he may refuse to accept OJT trainees as a result of this matter.

I am watching this situation with some concern. I hope it is not the start of the American trend of social justice warriors and grievance mongers sowing the seeds of racial division and strife in our nation.

RAKESH MOHAN
, Chaguanas