Burqa-clad women denied entry at Diwali fair !

Lakshmanpuri (Uttar Pradesh) – A ‘Goodwill Fair’ was organised at Ismail College in Meerut on the occasion of Diwali. Two Muslim women who had come to sell items at the fair were asked to remove their burqa. When they refused to do so, they were denied entry on security grounds.

1. Ayesha and her friend had come to set up a jewellery stall at the Goodwill Fair wearing burqas. At the entry gate, the college administration informed them that “entry would not be allowed to those wearing a burqa”. They were asked to return in normal attire and not in a burqa. The administration remained firm on its stance of not allowing burqa-clad individuals to enter.

2. When college staff were questioned about the incident, they stated, “The women wearing burqas were not students of the college; therefore, considering security concerns, they were denied entry in the burqa.”

3. Several people expressed displeasure on social media over the stance taken by the college administration.

Editorial Perspective

When many wrongdoings are carried out by hiding one’s identity under a burqa, what fault can be found with the college administration’s security-conscious decision ?