Bihar's Burqa Battle: Giriraj Singh Warns Against 'Sharia Law' Amid ID Check Row

3 months ago

This special report focuses on the controversy surrounding the verification of burqa-clad women voters during the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections. The issue has ignited a political firestorm, pitting the BJP against the RJD, with key figures like Union Minister Giriraj Singh and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi trading barbs. As one woman in Mokama told India Today, 'It is not necessary to remove the burqa, you can check it with your finger if you doubt it.' While some voters objected to the Election Commission's directive, others in Darbhanga welcomed the move. The debate intensified after RJD workers accused Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey of pushing for these checks, a claim he denied. Union Minister Giriraj Singh further stoked the controversy by stating that Sharia law would not be implemented in Bihar, drawing a sharp rebuke from RJD's Rabri Devi, who accused the BJP of communalising the electorate.

Transcript

00:00Mala Shakti on display in Bihar

00:09In the first phase of assembly elections, women turned up in large numbers

00:14However, the voting was overshadowed by a controversy over the election commission's directive

00:22to verify the identity of burka-clad women at polling stations

00:30India today spoke to Muslim women in Mokama where many objected to being asked to remove the burka

01:00On the other hand, in Darbhanga, Muslim women appreciated the verification being done by polling officials

01:10The NETA people are saying that you have to show your eye card

01:18If there will be a vote, then you will also show your face

01:22No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

01:30Escalating the burka battle, RJD workers claimed that BR Health Minister Mangal Pandey was seeking the verification of burka-clad voters in Siwan

01:52But the minister himself rejected the claim

01:59Nevertheless, the controversy over the burka quickly escalated

02:23With Union Minister Giraj Singh declaring Sharia law would not be implemented in the state

02:31If there is a burka coming and his boat is being forced, then he will be able to show his work in the future

02:43And this doesn't want anyone to take it from the law

02:47This is not Pakistan, this is the sharia law

02:50This is not the sharia law

02:55RJD leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabdi Devi hit back at the union minister

03:04Claiming that Prime Minister Narayan Modi and the BJP were communalising the electorate

03:09Giraaj Singh continues to maintain his claim in context of a

03:28Ghiraj Singh continues to maintain his claim in context to the Burka-clad voters coming to the polling stations.

03:41On the other side, Mahagadbandan is claiming that on the seats where it has stronghold, particularly the minority-dominated seats, the voting process is being slowed down.