Putin opposes head-scarves in schools

Moscow, Dec 21 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken out against the wearing of hijabs at schools in the country, and said the practice runs counter to Russian traditions.

“Why should we adopt outside traditions?” Putin said during a marathon question-answer session with Russian and foreign reporters.

A test case of Russia’s hijab policy emerged in October, when Muslim parents in a village in southern Stavropol region complained to prosecutors over a ban on head-scarves at their daughters’ school. The parents said the ban violated their daughters’ constitutional rights to receive an education and practice their religion.

The Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported that Stavropol governor Valery Zerenkov signed regulations banning school students from wearing head-scarves as well as “immodest” dress such as shorts and low-cut dresses.

Education and Science Minister Dmitry Livanov had previously said wearing head-scarves did not violate any law on education.

—IANS/RIA Novosti

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IANS 2012-12-21 04:32:06