Javed Akhtar's proposal comes in the wake of the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana asking the Modi sarkar to emulate Sri Lanka in banning the burqa
New Delhi: The cry for a burqa ban in India is growing louder and the Muslim Educational Society (MES) in Kerala has issued a circular saying that it won't allow female students to wear face-covering attires at its educational institutions, but for lyricist Javed Akhtar, there should be a ban on the ghoonghat first.
“If you want to bring a law banning burqa here (in India) and if it is someone’s view I have no objection. But before the last phase of elections in Rajasthan, this government should announce a ban on the practice of ‘ghoonghat’ (covering of the face by Hindu women) in that state,” Akhtar told reporters on Friday.
Akhtar's proposal comes in the wake of the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana asking the Modi sarkar to emulate Sri Lanka in banning the burqa. The island nation has banned burqa on the grounds of national security after multiple bomb blasts by Islamists ripped through churches and hotels in Colombo, Batticaloa and other places on April 21. Over 300 people died in the attack. Saamna has called the burqa a "threat".
In contrast, another vocal anti-status-quoist author Taslima Nasreen sought a burqa ban. Nasreen took to Twitter to say, "People are saying banning the burqa won't stop terrorism. I agree, it won't stop terrorism but it will stop women from being faceless zombies".
People are saying banning the burqa won’t stop terrorism. I agree, it won't stop terrorism but it will definitely stop women from being faceless zombies.
— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen)In contrast, another vocal anti-status-quoist author Taslima Nasreen sought a burqa ban. Nasreen took to Twitter to say, "People are saying banning the burqa won't stop terrorism.
I agree, it won't stop terrorism but it will stop women from being faceless zombies". Nasreen quoted from the Quran to establish her point. "People are saying banning burqa is against religious freedom. Then banning murder is also against religious freedom. Holy Quran (9:123, 2:191, 9:5) asks believers to kill people who don't believe in Islam. Nobody should have the right to enjoy religious freedom by harming others," she said.
Akhtar had to face flak both online and offline for trivialising an issue that even Muslim bodies like the MES have taken so seriously. In a tweaked message, Akhtar claimed his statement has been 'distorted'.
He tweeted, "Some people are trying to distort my statement. I have said that may be in Sri Lanka it is done for security reasons, but actually, it is required for women empowerment. Covering the face should be stopped whether naqab or ghoonghat."
Some people are trying to distort my statement . I have said that may be in Sri Lanka it is done for security reasons but actually it is required for women empowerment . covering the face should be stopped whether naqab or ghoonghat .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu)Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.