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Jewellery shops in Bihar are taking steps to tackle rising thefts by asking customers to reveal their faces before entering. Starting today (December 7), jewellery shops will deny entry and sales to customers whose faces are fully covered with niqab or hijab, as per the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation's directive.
The decision aims to prevent robberies, as perpetrators often hide their faces and enter shops in groups.
Ashok Kumar Verma, state president of the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation, said that the decision was made due to security concerns, highlighting the high value of jewellery and the risk of robberies. The move is part of a broader effort to prevent robberies, with similar actions taken in other cities like Jhansi.
In a conversation with IANS, Verma said, “The decision we made today is based purely on security concerns. Jewellery is now a high-value commodity: 10 grams of gold costs ₹1,40,000, and a kilogram of silver costs ₹2,50,000. The issue arises when people come into shops hiding their faces. They wear full helmets or veils, enter in groups of three to four, and commit robberies.”
He added that this decision was aimed at customers who conceal their facial identity. He added that out of respect for women, they won't remove hijabs themselves and would request customers to reveal their faces for identification before entering the shop.
Verma said that this is the first time such a step is being taken simultaneously across an entire district in Bihar, and similar actions have been taken in Jhansi and several other locations.
In response to an increase in jewellery theft instances in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, jewellers in the Sipri Bazaar region have also taken collective action to address the problem. They have posted signs inside their stores declaring that they will not allow those with covered faces to enter.
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Uday Soni, president of Sarafa Sipri Bazaar, told ANI, “Lately, we have launched a campaign. We have made a special request to all those who come to our shops to keep their faces uncovered while shopping."
The decision in Bihar to ban hijab-wearing customers from gold shops comes amid widespread outrage and condemnation, following the incident involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and a Muslim woman doctor. During the ceremony, the 74-year-old JD(U) chief was seen removing the hijab of the woman when she was being handed an appointment letter.
The decision aims to prevent robberies, as perpetrators often hide their faces and enter shops in groups.
Ashok Kumar Verma, state president of the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation, said that the decision was made due to security concerns, highlighting the high value of jewellery and the risk of robberies. The move is part of a broader effort to prevent robberies, with similar actions taken in other cities like Jhansi.
Patna, Bihar: Bihar becomes the first state to ban hijab or niqab wearers from buying gold. Starting tomorrow, jewelry shops will deny entry and sales
to customers whose faces are fully covered, as per the All India Jewelers and Gold Federation’s directive
State President, All… pic.twitter.com/ycKHnbyFVY
— IANS (@ians_india) January 6, 2026
In a conversation with IANS, Verma said, “The decision we made today is based purely on security concerns. Jewellery is now a high-value commodity: 10 grams of gold costs ₹1,40,000, and a kilogram of silver costs ₹2,50,000. The issue arises when people come into shops hiding their faces. They wear full helmets or veils, enter in groups of three to four, and commit robberies.”
He added that this decision was aimed at customers who conceal their facial identity. He added that out of respect for women, they won't remove hijabs themselves and would request customers to reveal their faces for identification before entering the shop.
Verma said that this is the first time such a step is being taken simultaneously across an entire district in Bihar, and similar actions have been taken in Jhansi and several other locations.
In response to an increase in jewellery theft instances in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, jewellers in the Sipri Bazaar region have also taken collective action to address the problem. They have posted signs inside their stores declaring that they will not allow those with covered faces to enter.
ALSO READ |Siddaramaiah becomes longest-serving chief minister of Karnataka
Uday Soni, president of Sarafa Sipri Bazaar, told ANI, “Lately, we have launched a campaign. We have made a special request to all those who come to our shops to keep their faces uncovered while shopping."
#WATCH | Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh: To prevent theft incidents amidst rising gold and silver prices, jewellers in the Sipri Bazaar area have pasted notices stating that they will not allow people with covered faces in the shop.
Uday Soni, President, Sarafa Sipri Bazaar, Jhansi,… pic.twitter.com/ZKeCR2YFo4
— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2026
The decision in Bihar to ban hijab-wearing customers from gold shops comes amid widespread outrage and condemnation, following the incident involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and a Muslim woman doctor. During the ceremony, the 74-year-old JD(U) chief was seen removing the hijab of the woman when she was being handed an appointment letter.
