Srinagar: The Shiv Sena on Wednesday called for a ban on the use of burqa by women of a particular community.
The statement from the Hindutva group came as Sri Lankan government mulls a similar ban in the wake of the Easter terror strikes which claimed over 250 lives.
“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”.
Following the killing of at least 250 people in suicide attacks, Sri Lanka has banned face coverings in public.
President Maithruipala Sisirsena said he was using an emergency law to impose the restriction from Monday.
Any face garment which “hinders identification” will be banned to ensure national security, his office said.
The niqab and burka – worn by Muslim women – were not specifically named.
The move is perceived as targeting the garments, however.
