Patna, Jan. 8 -- Jewellery traders in Bihar have banned the entry of women wearing hijab, niqab, face masks or ghoonghat, and men wearing helmets or traditional head coverings (muretha), into gold and silver shops across the state, over security concerns. Following the decision, many shops have put up clear notices outside stating that anyone wearing such attire will not be permitted to enter.
The decision, however, has triggered a political row, with Bihar's main Opposition party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), criticising the move and demanding its immediate withdrawal. The party said such decisions are "part of a conspiracy to take away the religious freedom and fundamental rights granted to citizens under the Constitution."Ashok Kumar...