On 28th July 2017, my Master's in Occupational therapy (M.O.T.h) results were declared and I was blessed with being a university ranker. Soon after that, I approached one of my very good seniors at a renowned hospital in Mumbai named Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (KDAH), and he forwarded my resume to the HR. With the regular formalities I was called in for an interview. I found my batch-mate Prathiksha there for the interview and my friend Ajay was working there as well. I was happy to have them around. We went together further, got selected, and the pay was fixed which was decent. I was very excited to start my practice in an area of my interest that is adult neuro-rehabilitation.
I went to the hospital two to three times before joining to finish all the formalities. On 22nd August I joined the first job of my career, my first work place. I was sitting back resting on the chair on day one, as the orientation and paperwork were going on. I was sailing on the sea of thoughts, calculating my plans. The day went smooth. After the tiring formalities, creating salary account to bio-metric, everything was done, new joiners were sent to their respective departments.
We took a lift to the 6th floor of the hospital building, the physical medicine and rehabilitation department, I and Prathiksha picked up a random chat, trying to figure out what was next. We were asked to meet our HoD, who welcomed us with a brief orientation of our respective work and directed us to our team head. As our team head left for the day, we met our other colleagues, many of them being our seniors from KEM. All of them were in black trousers and blue t-shirts with the department name printed at the back. Few of them were even wearing aprons atop the department uniform. We were welcomed by our colleagues who made us familiar with the department's functioning. We were asked to observe for a day until we were assigned with any patients.
The day ended and I happily returned home, for that day at the least.
September 8th: I resigned! Know what happens in between.
Day 2 went in understanding the work, receiving advice from the seniors, getting familiar with the place and people around.
On day 3 my HR asks me to visit her as we came across each other in the canteen. I got curious as my colleague Prathiksha was not called, so I got a little inquisitive to know if any paperwork is pending, and she calmly smiles nothing to worry about.
I took out some time and got down to the Mezzanine floor, it was 4.30 pm, my shift was 10-6 pm.
I met her and she smiles at first, takes me aside in a room. I clearly remember her words. This is how the conversation started.
HR- Hi, I just wanted to convey to you, see don't get it wrong, but wearing a headscarf is not allowed on the premises. You can wear it to the hospital but on duty when you are in uniform, you can't. This is the rule.
Me- Speechless, I was taken aback and froze at that moment as I had never come across this discrimination before.
Yes, I was questioned as to why I wear it, to which I always gave a satisfactory answer and was contented with it. Hijab is my choice and nobody had ever asked me to take it off so casually. At that moment, I had no words, I didn't know how to react, what to say as I was not prepared for it.
I gathered my strength and cross-questioned her:
"Why didn't you tell me before. I will speak to the HR head".
I went up and met my senior colleague, he was stunned to know this and immediately went to speak to our HoD who was equally shocked and unaware of this hospital rule. But he chose to not interfere in the administration and I was advised to speak to the HR team head. His cabin being on the same floor I immediately went to him and gently knocked to enter. I narrated everything and requested him to kindly consider it. He defended the decision saying,
"How can we allow people with dupattas on heads and scarves on duty? We have a policy!"
It was abrupt and rude! I again insisted saying I will be in uniform, I will wear a scarf of the color code and maintain it. I will also use skull caps when I enter ICU's and I gave all sorts of reasoning to his questions and at the end, he just said we will get back. I could not hold myself and went to the washroom, tears were flowing down. I could sense what is coming.
The only thing I knew was, I am not giving up on the hijab.
The day ended, on my way back I called up Sabika, my cousin and friend who gathered my broken pieces and fixed them perfectly to prepare me for next.
I hit the routine from the next day and started with my assigned patients. Within the next two to three
days, the entire department knew this. People had a mixed opinion, everyone was disappointed and supported me. They gave me advice, go to the media, file a case, don't give up. I kept myself calm. I decided to take things as they come.
A week later, I got a call from HR. The HR head and their team wants to meet.
I was sitting in a conference room in front of four senior staff, I didn't know their post. They were gathered to convince me that I should oblige by rule.
I was stern. We had a heated conversation, I held myself strong and raised too many questions which I am listing below.
1) Why does this rule exist in a democratic country? Is this hospital following some other constitution, if there is no freedom of religion?
2)How does it make a difference if I am in an extra cloth on my head if you claim we are not getting on religious grounds.?
3)Do patients connect to a doctor on his attire or his skills/treatment?
4)When I came to the hospital for prior formalities/medical checks, where was your rule then. Is it very casual to ask someone to uproot his belief?
5)If it is written in HR policy, I want to see it.
6)Give me in writing that I cannot work here because I am in a headscarf, which is not allowed.
7)Will you ask a Sikh with a turban to take it off. I saw a Sikh from some other department as the staff there.
On questioning this they replied he is not from the formal dress code requirement.
I said what if a Sikh girl with a turban applies, you will not consider her because of her attire, and to my surprise, they answered yes to make it less communal.
However, I observed, talent and skills did not count as their top priority while recruiting.
8)And last, Why there is a need to call me over again, all the senior officials gathering together to put me under interrogation when my older questions remain unanswered.
With due respect, I conveyed my points and politely requested them to consider but the answer I got was:
"We sympathize with you, but top management won't consider".
I don't know who all were part of this bench of senior officials, but such rules are a shame to our freedom. A beautiful country of ours which is known for its cultural diversity and brotherhood is put to disappointment by people who think the system should work according to them.
This went on, and on the evening of 7th of September, I took a train from Andheri after my 12-8 pm shift, I made up my mind. This hospital does not deserve my service if it cannot respect my religion and me as an individual. I spoke to my friend and cousin, Sabika, again and she said:
"Baji! go with your heart."
On the 8th morning, I came to the 6th floor, but not in uniform, my team had planned a lunch party to celebrate the completion of probation of some of my colleagues. We went to a BBQ, had lunch. I was overwhelmed with a surprise cake as my birthday celebration. 16 days of togetherness gave me a lot of memories and love.
For them, my scarf did not matter.
We came back to the hospital, I gently knocked on the door of Mrs. XY senior HR, I placed my letter, signed it and with a smile looked at her and said:
"8th September, my birthday, I decide to not give my service to an organization that does not respect me."
I did say a few more things leaving a pile of thoughts on her to ponder. She hugged me, said a few words, and wished me for a bright future. I left to catch up with my friends, who were waiting for me to lead a birthday celebration ahead. The day ended on a memorable note.
I thank my Almighty Allah (s.w.t) for helping me to stand by the right, my parents, my brother, and my family who are always there to encourage me to take my independent decisions. My friends and all my lovely juniors and seniors from KEM who stood behind my back.
Special thanks to Raji ma'am, Chandu sir, Dhananjay sir, Mansi ma'am, and the entire team of OT.
I have no count on the number of people who messaged me to motivate, and at the same time, expressed their anger and disappointment.
I had my reasons to not file a case, although I wanted to and had mentioned it in my heated discussions with the bench of senior officials. However, I am happy with my decision and in a year I got blessed with opportunities that I would have never thought of.
Today when I look back, I laugh at all the events and conversations with the top management, they stand way down to be on top.
All I ponder is, this beautiful nation is in danger at the hands of people who have sown communal seeds. The hatred is not amongst people. We live together in harmony, but divide and rule has always been used by some to disrupt this harmony.
I have read many articles where females wearing hijab have been asked to take it off at the workplace, university, or exams. This is a serious issue.
Hijab is our cape and identity.It's my way of living and practice.Today's modernization is reverting to the lowest intellect level.There have been many discussions and reasoning to define liberalism by today's stalwarts
I have a question to them:
"What is it about being liberal?
When I don't question your outfit, why is mine under surveillance?"
Do not
pester a veiled woman just like the way you don’t bother a naked one.
Live and let live!
-SSW
P.S: The intent of this article is to create awareness of the increasing number of such events. India is a beautiful nation and the citizens want to live in harmony. I condemn the imposition of such rules in vice versa situations as well. An individual should be respected and accepted as a human irrespective of their religious or regional background. Let's spread love and peace.
