Why has Bihar banned entry of people wearing hijab, niqab, scarf into jewellery shops?

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Bihar has become the first state in India to ban the entry of people with fully covered faces into jewellery shops. The decision came after the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation (AIJGF) issued directions in the matter.

The new rule says that the jewellery stores will deny entry as well as sales to all customers whose faces are covered. This includes coverage by hijabs, niqabs, scarves, helmets and other similar things.

The federation has said that jewellery purchases will be allowed only after proper facial identification of the customer has been done.

Why has the decision been taken?

The decision has been taken taking into consideration growing security concerns amid the increasing prices of gold as well as silver commodities.

News agency IANS quoted Ashok Kumar Verma, State President of the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation, that the decision is based purely on security considerations and is not to target the people belonging to any community or religion.

"Today, the price of 10 grams of gold is around Rs 1.40 lakh, and one kilogram of silver costs about Rs 2.5 lakh," Verma said.

“Several robbery incidents have occurred where people enter shops in groups with their faces fully covered. They wear helmets or veils and commit thefts. This decision is aimed at preventing such crimes," he added.