Earlier yesterday, a senior Punjab Minister Raza Ali Gilani proposed to make Hijab mandatory for female students in all the Punjab colleges.
“Hamaray culture aur ethics ko ham bhooltay ja rai hain. Is kay liye main ne colleges main hamari khawateen, hamari behnon kay liye Hijab compulsory kar dia hai,” told the Punjab Higher Education Minister in a video that has been circulating around social media ever since.
Here’s the full video, for reference:
Soon after the word got out, the entire social media went berserk. Everybody had some interesting things to say about the whole situation, Pakistani twitterati in particular.
. @GovtOfPunjab What is this then?
Who issued this circular? pic.twitter.com/hN7FiNQK2O— Shama Junejo (@ShamaJunejo) March 14, 2017
Some people appreciated the step by saying that men wouldn’t be able to control themselves if they see the un-hijabed ‘eyecandy’
I appreciate Punjab Assembly and #PTI on #Hijab law. All girls deserve respect and honor, they r not dolls to play with or eyecandy for sick
— Abd_Muntaqim (@Muntaqim_00) March 15, 2017
While some weren’t amused, AT ALL
#Hijab I wish for times when women will not be schooled, judged or told what to wear! #RespectEveryWoman #LetThemPick
— Anum Tanveer (@XeniaRoxen) March 15, 2017
Amidst all the chaos, some of them just decided to joke about the situation
?Pakistani boys be like #hijab – the ridiculousness that is our #PunjabGovernment ??♀️ pic.twitter.com/xiAwqkLJhv
— Aijaz Khaskheli (@Khaskhel_Aijaz) March 15, 2017
While others had some legit concerns too
…. and what will the boys do? What will students of a different religion do? Why does wearing a Hijab impact grades/marks ?! https://t.co/kgxlPveRpG
— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) March 14, 2017
Punjab Government, however, came out with an official statement soon after and here’s what they had to say:
5% marks for Hijab students is absolutely WRONG news… Academic excellence only based on MERIT.. It's clear policy of the Govt of Punjab.
— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) March 14, 2017
The representatives of the Punjab Government clarified the matter by saying that academic excellence will always be the only basis for merit. No extra marks will be given to anyone wearing Punjab. They further discarded all the media reports about Raza Ali Gilani’s word being the ultimate by calling them as ‘WRONG’ news.
The tweet proved to be rather beneficial in appeasing the Pakistanis in general
Glad that Punjab Govt spokeperson reiterates that the Govt believes in judging men and women on merit and not on apparel @SMCU
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) March 14, 2017
Moreover, while celebrating Holi earlier yesterday, Nawaz Sharif also sent out a message of inclusiveness and tolerance. So peeps, it’s all clear now. There’s really nothing to worry about, anymore.
Cover image via: theepochtimes.com /AP Photo/B.K. Bangash