Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Ban both ‘burqa’ and ‘ghunghat’?' that was published in Newsband

Ban both ‘burqa’ and ‘ghunghat’?

One of poet, lyricist and screenwriter, Javed Akhtar’s comment came in the wake of the Shiv Sena mouthpiece urging the Modi government to emulate Sri Lanka in banning the burqa on grounds of national security. He said he was not averse to enacting a law banning the burqa if it was accompanied with a similar action against the ‘ghunghat’ system prevalent among women in Rajasthan. Speaking further on the issue, the Bollywood veteran said that he personally had little knowledge of the burqa as there were working women in his family and he hadn’t seen the practice at his home.

Sena’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s footsteps and ban the burqa and other face-covering garments in India considering the “threat” they pose to the nation’s security. Sri Lanka’s decision came in the wake of the Easter Sunday terror attacks in the island nation that killed over 250 people.

Agreed that both Burka and Ghunghat should go, but from security angle there's a major difference. While one can relatively easily see whether the person under the Ghunghat is female or not, the same can't be said of burka. Ethically both should go. Law enforcement agencies should have powers to ban anything that helps the unlawful elements.

Burqua has been misused world over by terrorists. So authorities are justified in banning it. If ghoonghat comes in the way it should also be banned.

There’s no ghungat nonsense in the south. Ever seen the temple sculptures from centuries ago? Seen any woman in ghungats in those? Nope. Women were dressed very freely back then. That was our culture. Let’s get back to our original culture and ban the regressive ghungats. 

But the question is, will the Muslims support the ban of burqas, at least in public places? Ban the ghungats and let the Muslims take the challenge too and support the ban of burqas. Let all the liberals who jumped up and down on the Sabarimala issue citing gender equality support the ban of burqas.

Looks like a good point. If face covering needs to be banned, it should be for every one irrespective of their Religion. This might do real justice for woman, and eradication of Ghughat and Burka system may change woman status in our orthodox society.

If Burka ban is for maintaining law & order, then ghunghat should also be banned. As a person with criminal intention can use any form.