Patna: Jewellery traders across Bihar have introduced new entry restrictions at gold and silver shops, barring customers whose faces are covered by hijabs, niqabs, veils, helmets or turbans, citing growing security concerns amid repeated incidents of theft and robbery.
Notices announcing the restrictions have appeared outside jewellery stores in several districts, stating that entry will not be permitted with face coverings. Traders argue that the decision has been taken purely as a precautionary measure and is not directed against any religious or social group.
Shop owners say that criminals have increasingly used face coverings to conceal their identities while carrying out robberies, making it difficult for staff, customers and security cameras to identify them. The jewellery trade, which handles high-value items, has long been considered vulnerable to organised theft.
Ashok Kumar Verma, the state president of the All India Gold and Jewellers Association, said the decision was driven by safety concerns. “Jewellery shops are frequent targets. In many cases, offenders enter with their faces covered and escape after committing the crime. This step is meant to protect shopkeepers and customers alike,” he said.
The association has maintained that customers willing to uncover their faces or provide identification will still be allowed to enter and make purchases. Traders believe the restrictions will act as a deterrent and help improve overall security in market areas.
The move, however, is likely to prompt debate around the balance between security measures and individual rights, particularly in public-facing commercial spaces. While no official government directive has been issued in this regard, the development reflects the wider anxiety among traders following a series of high-profile robberies in recent months.
For now, the restrictions remain a voluntary measure adopted by shop owners, as police and trade bodies continue to explore ways to strengthen security without disrupting normal business or public access.
