Patna: In a move that has sparked a fierce debate between security protocols and civil liberties, the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation (Bihar Chapter) has enforced a statewide ban on face coverings inside jewellery showrooms.
The Directive
Effective immediately, customers wearing Hijabs, Niqabs, Helmets, or Masks will not be allowed to enter gold shops unless they uncover their faces. The Federation has cited a sharp rise in violent heists across Purnea and Patna, where perpetrators used face coverings to evade CCTV identification.
A Precedent Set?
This makes Bihar the first state to implement such a blanket ban in the private retail sector. While shop owners argue that “Security comes first,” social activists and minority organizations have termed the move discriminatory. They argue that while verifying identity at the counter is standard (like in banks), a blanket ban on entry creates a hostile environment for Muslim women who observe Parda.
