PATNA: In a controversial ruling, the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation (AIJGF) announced that customers in Bihar wearing covered faces, including hijabs, scarves, and helmets, will be barred from purchasing gold and silver. This directive, driven by heightened security concerns in light of recent thefts, aims to ensure customer and shopkeeper safety.

Ashok Kumar Verma, president of the AIJGF's Bihar chapter, clarified during a press conference that the decision is motivated by security issues rather than any specific community or religious agenda. “The rule applies equally to everyone, including men with face coverings," Verma stated, adding that the inability to identify customers at the time of purchase poses a significant risk. He mentioned that the current price of 10 grams of gold is approximately ₹1.40 lakh, while a kilogram of silver costs around ₹2.5 lakh. Verma emphasized that the new policy is necessary to prevent robberies, which have recently become more prevalent.

Despite the justification provided by the federation, the move has drawn severe criticism from political opposition. Ejaz Ahmed, spokesperson for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), called the ruling unconstitutional and an attack on religious freedoms guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. He argued, "It’s an attempt to curtail the fundamental right of a person to religious freedom." Ahmed further condemned the ruling as a measure that could destabilize the secular fabric of the nation.

Supporters of the decision assert that safety must take precedence, a viewpoint seemingly endorsed by senior police officials in Patna. Verma noted that many shops across Bihar have already adopted these guidelines to mitigate risks. This development, however, echoes past tensions regarding religious attire in public life, as evidenced by the backlash surrounding an incident in December 2025 where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removed the hijab of a Muslim woman during an official event, reigniting discussions around cultural and religious identity in contemporary India.