Bihar Jewellery Shop Mask Ban Sparks Political Face-Off Between NDA and RJD

A decision by jewellery traders in Bihar to restrict entry into jewellery shops while wearing masks, hijabs or helmets has snowballed into a full-fledged political controversy, with the ruling NDA government and the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) coming face to face over the issue.

The traders’ move, citing security concerns, has triggered sharp reactions across the political spectrum, turning what began as a business decision into a highly polarised political debate.

NDA Backs Traders’ Decision

Bihar government minister Lakhendra Paswan openly supported the decision taken by the jewellery traders’ associations. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, good governance and transparency have been established in the state.

“If shopkeepers have decided, purely for security reasons, that customers should not enter jewellery shops wearing helmets, masks or hijabs, it is a commendable initiative. The purpose is to ensure that the shop owner can clearly see the customer’s face,” Paswan said, adding that he fully supports the traders’ decision.

The NDA maintains that the move is non-discriminatory and aimed solely at preventing crimes such as robbery and theft, which often involve concealed identities.

RJD Raises Constitutional Concerns

The decision, however, has drawn strong criticism from the RJD. Party’s state spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed termed the restriction unconstitutional and against India’s democratic values.

He argued that targeting hijab and face coverings in the name of security amounts to hurting religious sentiments and undermining the fundamental right to religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution.

“Using security as a pretext to single out religious attire is unacceptable. Such decisions are part of a larger conspiracy to curtail constitutional rights,” Ahmed said.

Allegations of Political Agenda

The RJD spokesperson further alleged that individuals associated with the BJP and RSS were already active in pushing such narratives and that some jewellery traders were now attempting to advance the same agenda.

He emphasised that no religious identity should be targeted under the guise of security, warning that such steps could deepen social divisions.

Issue Turns Political

While jewellery traders insist that the restriction is a practical safety measure, the involvement of political leaders has transformed the issue into a statewide political flashpoint, raising questions about the balance between public safety, individual rights and religious freedom.

The controversy continues to escalate, with both sides standing firm on their positions.