On Wednesday, the Shiv Sena called for a ban on burqa on women of a particular community and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow the footsteps of Sri Lanka. It has called for burqa ban in public places in India as the Sena thinks that it is a threat to national security. This is in the wake of the Easter terror attacks which took the innocent lives of many people.
The Sena in its party mouthpieces, Saamana and Dopahar Ka Saamana said:
“This restriction has been recommended as an emergency measure to ensure the security forces do not encounter difficulties in identifying anybody. People wearing face-masks or burqas could pose a threat to national security.”
Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has spoken on Shiva Sena’s ban on burqa. He said, “Shiv Sena is ignorant, SC judgement on privacy clearly lays down that choice is now a fundamental right. It’s a violation of the MCC, I request EC to take immediate note of it, it’s an attempt to create polarization.”
GVL Narasimha Roa, MP and national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party also opposed the demand to ban burqa saying that there is no need to ban it.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, also said that all burqa-clad women are not terrorists. He said, “Not all women who wear burqa are terrorists, if they are terrorists their burqa should be removed. It’s a tradition and they have the right to wear it, there shouldn’t be a ban on burqa in India.”
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