Shiv Sena demands ban on use of burqa at public places

Mumbai, May 1

The Shiv Sena on Wednesday called for a ban on the use of burqa as it threw its weight behind a similar plan being mulled by the Sri Lankan government in the wake of the Easter terror strikes which claimed over 250 lives.

It said the ban--something similar which the party has proposed in the past—“has already come in Ravana’s (Sri) Lanka, when will it be implemented in Ram’s Ayodhya--this is our question to (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi.”

“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,” said the Sena in an editorial in the party mouthpieces, ‘Saamana’ and ‘Dopahar Ka Saamana’.

If such religious practices or traditions interfered with national security, then it must be ended immediately, and “Modi will have to do it now”.

“This work will require as much daring as a ‘surgical strike’. The Sri Lankan President had done it by overnight banning burqa or veils or face-covers of any types in all public places. This is a work of great courage and restraint exhibited by (Sri Lanka) President Maithripala Sirisena,” lauded the Sena.

Many Muslims had not understood the true meaning of their religion (Islam) and they had confused it with traditions and customs like burqa, polygamy, triple talaq and resistance to family planning, the edit said.

It pointed out that there had been bans on both burqas for women and beards for men even in Muslim countries like Turkey in the past, especially when Kamal Pasha suspected that these were being misused for carrying out anti-national activities. IANS