Women Allegedly Denied Entry At Mumbai Civic Hospital Over Burqa
Mumbai, Maharashtra: A video showing an argument between two burqa-wearing women and a female police officer at the entrance of Mumbai’s BMC-run Cooper Hospital has gone viral on social media. The argument broke out after the officer allegedly denied entry to the Burqa-clad women.
According to reports, the women had arrived at the hospital to meet a relative admitted there when they were stopped at the gate for an identity check. A security guard reportedly cited security concerns and the need to verify the identities of people entering the hospital.
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In the video, the women can be seen strongly objecting to the officer, arguing it infringed upon her dignity, privacy and constitutional right to religious freedom. A man accompanying the lawyer recorded the incident, which was subsequently circulated widely on social media.
Security personnel reportedly cited precautionary measures and concerns over child theft as reasons for verifying the identities of visitors at the hospital gates.
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However, the hospital administration has not officially confirmed the incident so far. It is also unclear whether the hospital has any written rule requiring visitors to remove a burqa for entry or whether the request was made solely for identity verification.
