Shiv Sena’s call to ban burqa in India unwarranted: Mehbooba

The former chief minister of J&K said the move will also influence people to look at Muslim women, who follow the Islamic dress code, with suspicion.

“Shiv Sena’s call to ban burqa is unwarranted & will fan the flames of Islamophobia. It also influences people to look at Muslim women who follow the Islamic dress code with suspicion. Sad that the diversity our country takes great pride in is under attack,” Mehbooba tweeted.

Throwing weight behind the decision taken by the Sri Lankan government, the Shiv Sena has called for a ban on burqa which is worn by women belonging to the Muslim community.

In an editorial of the party mouthpiece Saamana, Sena said as quoted by NDTV, "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,"

More than a week after Sri Lanka witnessed eight blasts by Islamist groups that left 253 people dead on an Easter Sunday, the Island Nation in order to ensure public safety on Monday banned all kinds of face covering, including burqa.

In a statement issued by the Sri Lankan government on its portal news.lk, it has been said that country's President Maithripala Sirisena has taken steps to ban covering the face to avoid identification of one’s self under Emergency Regulations. 

The measures were taken at a time when Islamic State claimed responsibility for the eight blasts that rocked the nation on Easter Sunday that killed more than 250 and wounded at least 500 people.

Sri Lankan officials suspected the little known local Islamist group called the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) behind the execution of the attacks.