MP: Maya Singh says women shouldn’t wear naqaab, kicks up a row

Madhya Pradesh Women and Child Development (WCD) minister Maya Singh’s statement on Friday that women should not wear naqaab or a mask kicked up a controversy.

“Mostly women wear naqaabs to protect themselves from the harmful rays of the sun but apart from this, they should not wear naqaabs. Before banning the naqaab altogether here, I will myself call a meeting with school-going and college-going students, to know their opinion and why they are wearing these masks all the time. I have not seen anyone in my college days or schools days going out of home after wearing these naqaabs. Once we know the reasons behind girls wearing these naqaabs, we would find a solution to it,” said the WCD minister.

Girls can wear what they like: Cong

State Congress spokesperson Deepti Singh hit out at the minister saying, “No ruling party can infringe upon the freedom of appearance. Girls can wear what they like whether it’s a naqaab or short dresses. In MP, rate of women-related crimes is highest, malnutrition is on its peak and yet the BJP leaders give statements like short dresses should be avoided, naqaabs should not be worn and girls should remain in a limit. These are just ways to divert the attention of public. Maya Singh has got such a substantial department to work yet she is not checking the condition of women in the state or what is really happening in the aganwadi.”

Women wear naqaabs to feel secure: Activist

Strongly condemning Maya Singh’s statement, women rights activists Prathana Mishra said it was all about rights.

“No one can comment on how women should move. Government should focus on women safety. Women are wearing naqaabs to feel secure especially in the state capital where eve-teasing is rampant. The acid attack survivor could save her face from the acid as she was wearing a naqaab. So if it’s advantageous for women then they should definitely wear it,” she said.

First Published: Jun 24, 2016 21:15 IST