Patna: A decision by a jewellery shop owners’ body in Bihar to restrict the entry of customers with covered faces—including those wearing hijabs, niqabs, or helmets—has triggered a political controversy in the state. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has strongly condemned the move, terming it unconstitutional and an infringement on religious freedom.
RJD state spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed alleged that the decision targeted specific religious sentiments under the guise of security. He claimed the move was an attempt to curtail fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution and accused the BJP and RSS of pushing a divisive agenda through the trade body. Ahmed demanded the immediate withdrawal of the decision to preserve the state's secular fabric.
Meanwhile, the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation (AIGJF) defended the directive, citing escalating security risks. Ashok Kumar Verma, the federation’s State President, stated that Bihar has become the first state to formally implement this rule statewide. He explained that with gold prices hovering around Rs 1.40 lakh per 10 grams and silver at Rs 2.5 lakh per kg, the risk of robbery has increased significantly. Verma noted that several recent incidents involved perpetrators who entered shops with their faces fully covered to conceal their identities.
Verma clarified that the restriction is not discriminatory and applies equally to men covering their faces with scarves or helmets. Verma emphasised that the federation is not banning the burqa or hijab, but merely requesting customers to briefly show their faces while shopping. We will only make a polite request for customers to briefly reveal their faces for identification. There is no question of confrontation, he said, adding that the measure aims to establish trust between the buyer and seller. He also mentioned that local police authorities had been consulted and raised no objections to the precautionary protocol.
(Inputs from IANS)