Both women and men with covered faces cannot buy gold, silver in Bihar, says jewellers’ body

Jewellery shops in Bihar may restrict entry and sales to customers covering their faces, including those wearing hijabs, niqabs, burqas, scarves, masks, or helmets, amid rising precious metal prices and recent robbery incidents, the state chapter of the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation (AIJGF) announced Wednesday.

Security Concerns Drive New Policy

The AIJGF’s Bihar chapter stated the measure is “purely driven by security considerations” and does not target any specific community or religious group. Unless customers’ faces are visible for identification during a purchase, their entry into shops will be restricted, according to Ashok Kumar Verma, president of the AIJGF’s Bihar chapter.

“The federation is not imposing a ban on hijab or burqa but is requesting customers to show their faces while shopping for identification,” Verma said. The rule applies equally to men covering their faces with scarves or helmets, he added.

Rise in Robberies Prompts Action

The decision comes in response to a recent increase in robberies and thefts committed by masked individuals. Currently, 10 grams of gold costs around ₹1.40 lakh, and one kilogram of silver costs ₹2.5 lakh, increasing the stakes for potential crimes. Verma described instances of groups of three to four people entering shops wearing full helmets or veils to commit robberies.

Verma stated he discussed the rule with senior police officials in Patna, who did not object to its implementation. Many shops across the state have already begun following the directive.

Political Opposition to the Rule

Ejaz Ahmed, a state spokesperson for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), criticized the move as unconstitutional and a violation of India’s secular traditions. He alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were behind the decision.

Ahmed argued the rule curtails the fundamental right to religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution and promotes actions that weaken the country’s secular fabric. He stated shop staff cannot remove anyone’s hijab or burqa, but can only politely request face visibility.

Recent Incident Fuels Debate

The announcement follows a December 15, 2025, incident in Patna where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulled off the hijab of a Muslim woman physician while distributing appointment letters to AYUSH doctors, sparking widespread outrage. The doctor had not joined service as of December 31, the last day to do so as notified by the State Health Department.