Hijab row as the reflection of a ‘hegemonic Hindu masculinity’ in the service of Hindu nationalism

In March, the courts in the Indian state of Karnataka upheld a ban on Muslim women students wearing hijabs to classrooms. The court’s judgement had been preceded by weeks of aggressive Hindu protests in support of the ban purportedly to provide equality to students of all religions. Jyoti Bania argues that the episode became yet another vehicle for the expression of a ‘hegemonic Hindu masculinity’ – constructed in opposition to denigrated masculinities of marginalised communities – that is sanctioned and rationalised in the name of an assertive nationalism.