Bihar Jewelers Ban Covered Faces for Gold Sales Amid Security Fears

• The All India Jewelers and Gold Federation (AIJGF) Bihar unit announced a ban on sales to customers with covered faces (burqa, mask, helmet) for security reasons, effective January 7, 2026.
• AIJGF President Ashok Kumar Verma stated the rule applies to all, not targeting any community, and aims to prevent robberies by masked individuals.
• The decision was made after discussions with Patna police, who raised no objections, and some shops in Bihar have already started implementing it.
• Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed called the move unconstitutional, against secular traditions, and an attempt to restrict religious freedom.
• Ahmed alleged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) influence, emphasizing that shop employees cannot remove hijabs/burqas but can only make requests.

Why It Matters: Bihar jewelers implement face-covering ban for security, sparking political debate over constitutional rights.