Patna, Jan 7 (NationPress) A recent ruling by a collective of jewellery shop owners in Bihar aimed at limiting the access of customers with obscured faces, such as women adorned in hijabs or niqabs, has ignited a political uproar in the region.

RJD state spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed expressed strong disapproval, labeling the initiative as unconstitutional and in direct conflict with India's foundational constitutional principles.

“This targeting of hijabs and niqabs under the pretext of security infringes upon religious sentiments and is an encroachment on the fundamental right to religious freedom enshrined in the Constitution,” Ahmed asserted.

He further alleged that individuals associated with the BJP and RSS are orchestrating this agenda, urging the jewellery shop owners to retract their decision immediately or risk undermining India's constitutional and secular framework.

In a counter-response, the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation (AIGJF) announced that the ruling dictates that customers whose faces are obscured by hijabs, burqas, scarves, helmets, or similar items will be barred from entering jewellery showrooms unless their faces are visible.

According to the federation, purchases of jewellery will only take place after adequate facial identification.

Ashok Kumar Verma, the State President of the AIGJF, informed IANS that Bihar is the inaugural state to implement such a regulation on a statewide basis.

He clarified that the decision is strictly a security measure and is not aimed at targeting any specific community.

“Currently, the price for 10 grams of gold is roughly Rs 1.40 lakh, while a kilogram of silver is around Rs 2.5 lakh. Numerous robbery incidents have transpired where individuals enter shops in groups with their faces completely concealed. They don helmets or veils and carry out thefts. This ruling is intended to avert such criminal acts,” Verma explained.

Verma emphasized that the federation is not prohibiting the burqa or hijab, but simply requesting customers to momentarily reveal their faces while shopping.

He reiterated that this regulation applies equally to men who cover their faces with scarves or helmets.

“Our aim is not discrimination. Establishing a face-to-face connection between customer and shopkeeper fosters trust,” he stated, adding that this guideline is universal and not directed at any particular community.

Verma also mentioned that he had consulted with the Patna City Central Superintendent of Police, who raised no objections.

He claimed that similar precautionary actions are already observed in certain districts of other states.

Addressing potential protest concerns, Verma stated that there would be no grounds for controversy.

“No staff member will forcibly remove anyone’s hijab or burqa. We will only extend a courteous request. There will be no confrontations,” he assured.

This situation has ignited a wider discussion in Bihar regarding the equilibrium between security protocols and religious freedoms, as political responses continue to emerge.