Mumbai:
On a day when the French Senate passed the bill to ban women from wearing the burqa in public spaces across the country, a woman in Mumbai was allegedly stopped by a security guard at the King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEM) for not removing her veil.
The incident occurred when Fatima, her husband and another relative reached the hospital, as her uncle was not well. When she tried to enter the hospital with family members, the security guard stopped her.
"We brought our uncle to the hospital, as he is ill. However, the moment I tried to enter, he stopped me and they asked me to show my face and my hair too. I am ready to show my face but showing my hair is too much.
They said that it is compulsory because the image should reflect in the CCTV. They even told me to keep my face uncovered inside the hospital," said Fatima.
"If a female security guard was present I would have agreed, but because of a male security guard, I refused," added Fatima. On the other hand, Vinay Girish Meshram, the security guard told MiD DAY that they were ordered by their seniors to ask all to follow such instructions because of security reasons and were also given a circular, which they claimed was handed out by the Mumbai Police Commissioner's office. When MiD DAY asked to see the circular, the security guard refused. "We stop women who cover their face, as a security measure and have been given directives by our seniors. A previous theft has also made us more alert," said Meshram.
MiD DAY contacted Bhoiwada police station to confirm the presence of such a circular. However, the officials at the station were unaware of such a circular being passed.
Dr Sanjay Oak, dean of KEM Hospital was unavailable to comment.