Burqa banned in Ravana's Lanka, why not in Ram's Ayodhya, says Shiv Sena; Owaisi hits back

Welcoming the Sri Lankan government's decision to ban burqa and masks on grounds of national security, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday asked the Narendra Modi-led regime to follow suit.

Photo for representational purpose. AFP

NEW DELHI: Welcoming the Sri Lankan government's decision to ban burqa and masks on grounds of national security, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday asked the Narendra Modi-led regime to follow suit. In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisenas footsteps and ban burqas and other face-covering garments in India considering the threat it poses to the nations security. The Sena mouthpiece said, "We welcome the decision by the Sri Lankan president. If this can happen in Ravana's Lanka, when will it happen in Ram's Ayodhya," it said. The editorial said even France, New Zealand, Australia and England have banned burqa. "Why is India lagging behind," it asked. The editorial said this task (of banning burqa) is as gutsy as the surgical strikes. "Face masks can prove detrimental in identifying people and the ban was necessary under emergency situation. The Sri Lankan president has shown courage. Modi should follow suit," the editorial said. Hitting out at Senaa, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party should know that the Constitution gives autonomy to individuals. The article in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' on the matter was a grave violation of the Model Code of Conduct, claimed the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president. He asked the Election Commission to take immediate note of it. The article was trying to create divisions and polarisation in society, he alleged. "May I give them some knowledge, some gyan because they are ignorant... I am to remind them that the Supreme Court judgment on privacy, the supreme court judgment on (Article) 377 clearly lays down that choice. "For Shiv Sena's ignorant people, I am spelling that out for them, choice, is now fundamental right," Owaisi said. He said as per the Indian Constitution one can choose and do whatever they like. "That is your autonomy. Unfortunately and deliberately, for all these Hindutva ignorant people, when you talk about constitution, they go completely mad about it. "Because, they dont understand the pluralism of our country," he said. Owaisi said the Shiv Sena was frustrated as "they are going to lose a huge number of seats in the elections". "That is why they are indulging in what I called dog-vigil politics," he said. "India is a country which celebrates every religion. It also celebrates people who don't believe in religion. It also celebrates Ravan, it also holds Ram in high esteem. This is India. "They (Shiv Sena) talked so brave and bold that they will not go with Modi, but they did a trapeze act," said Owaisi. What dress were the convicted in Ajmer blast wearing, he asked, referring to the arrested persons' alleged association with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. "So, the fight against terrorism is not with dress. The fight against terrorism is that you have to fight that mindset," he said. (With inputs from PTI)