Expressing objection to the decisions of banning burqa in jewelery shops of Bihar, AIMIM councilor from Hyderabad Dr Sameena has taken a strong stand. He has accused it of hurting the dignity of Muslim women. He said shopkeepers should deploy women security guards and use technology like metal detectors. He asked that if women buying jewelery do not come to the shops, will it not have a direct impact on the business?
Councilor Sameena: After coming to power, the incident of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removing the hijab of a female doctor has now taken the form of a big national controversy. On this issue, he criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for pulling the hijab of a Muslim woman in a public program, but also raised serious questions about the restrictions being imposed on the burqa by the jewelery sellers of Bihar.
New debate on ‘Naqab’ ban in jewelery shops in Bihar: AIMIM councilor Dr Sameena said that there will be a direct impact on business. pic.twitter.com/fbW0nuMcPs
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The entire incident is extremely unfortunate: AIMIM councilor
Terming this entire incident as ‘extremely unfortunate’, Dr Sameena said that niqab or hijab is not just a garment but is a part of a woman’s security and her identity. Citing religious references, he clarified that in Islam, women are permitted and ordered to cover themselves, which ensures their safety. She appealed to the government and administration to look at this sensitive issue from the perspective of women’s autonomy and dignity instead of looking at it through a political lens.
‘Such incidents create division in society’
According to Dr. Sameena, such incidents create division in the society and make women feel unsafe in public places. At present, this controversy has created a stir in political circles also. While on one hand the opposition is calling it a violation of personal freedom, on the other hand supporters of the government are linking it to following the rules. This entire episode has once again given a new direction to the ongoing debate in India on freedom of choice versus religious symbols.
