A Muslim Woman Was Denied Job At A Delhi Orphanage Because She Wears A Hijab! SHAME.

I know they like to claim that we have progressed as a nation and as a society, but it pains me to tell you that the reality is far away from being ideal. I’m sorry if that came out blunt but we are in 2017 and nothing about the present scenario feels like it!

Not the day’s paper, not my WhatsApp forwards, nothing. Discrimination based on caste, creed and religion still exists and it is one of the many problems our country is plagued with. If you think my outburst is unwarranted and unjustified wait till you hear what you hear.

In a shocking incident of Islamophobia, Nedal Zoya, a Masters in Social Work from TISS, Mumbai, did not make the cut for the post of a social worker at a Delhi Orphanage because she wears a head-scarf. 

According to Indian Express, the incident came to light when Zoya received a mail from the recruiter at the Orphanage in Kotla Mubarakpur saying that the premise is ‘religion-free’ and her head-scarf ‘will make her look like a Muslim from even a distance of a kilometre.’ 

Signed by Harish Varma, President and CEO, of the Delhi orphanage, the mail about her ‘external Muslim gear’ was in reply to Zoya’s application and test for the vacancy that floated in October.

And this is not even the worse part.

Zoya who has had her brush with discrimination earlier, wrote back saying that covering her head come naturally to her as a Muslim woman and that is a ‘priority’. But it was enough to anger Varma who replied with a staunch statement. 

“I was shocked to know that conservative Islam is your priority, not humanity. You’re all higher education has gone down The  drain.”

Yes, he even thought it was appropriate to tell Zoya that he has found another Muslim woman ‘who has modern thoughts with religion-free mindset.’

A dejected Zoya told TOI, 

“During my school and college days, I used to read about the incidents of discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, religion. But I had never faced one until I started applying for jobs and going for interviews. Believe me, I wasn’t prepared for this discrimination.”

“‘You got the job. Oh, Sorry, but we don’t allow head covers at our institute’. This happened at one of the renowned schools in the Indian capital.”

Do you still think I was unfair with my words? I mean, where does this stop? And when? On the hindsight, discussions as such, followed by substantial measures could be our saving grace.