In a significant move aimed at bolstering security, jewellery shops across Bihar have implemented a new rule: customers with their faces covered will not be allowed entry. This decision, taken by the Bihar unit of the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation, comes against the backdrop of soaring prices for gold and silver, which have made jewellers more vulnerable to criminal activities.
State-Wide Implementation of the New Rule
The federation's decision was finalized during a meeting with district jewellers' associations on Tuesday. Ashok Kumar Verma, the president of the federation, clarified that the measure is purely a pre-emptive security step and is not directed against any specific community or group. Notices announcing the new policy have already been put up outside many shops in Patna.
Elaborating on the rule, Pankaj Arora, another senior office-bearer, stated on Wednesday that a customer's face must be fully visible for entry. This means any form of veil, including a hijab, a full-face helmet, or a pagdi/safa (turban) that covers the face, is prohibited. He clarified that while there is no restriction on wearing a burqa, the face within it cannot be veiled. Arora revealed that this policy is set to be gradually rolled out across the entire country.
Security Concerns Driving the Decision
The primary catalyst for this decision is the sharp increase in the value of precious metals. A 10-gram gold chain now costs approximately Rs 1.41 lakh, while silver has crossed Rs 2.5 lakh per kilogram. This makes jewellery shops a soft target for criminals. The federation cited recent theft incidents in Jhansi, where a similar rule was adopted, as a key influence.
"Even police question us about the identity in case of loot or theft as the person with a face covered is not identified in the CCTV cameras," Arora explained, highlighting the practical challenges during investigations. Bihar is the first state to implement such a blanket rule statewide.
Reactions and Enforcement
When asked about potential pushback from customers or impact on business, Ashok Kumar Verma, who was attending a traders' meeting in Delhi, expressed confidence. He asserted that any genuine customer would cooperate with the security measure. "Only anti-social elements will resist. But we will politely refuse to serve them. In case of any trouble, we will inform the police," Verma stated firmly.
The move has garnered support from some political quarters. A BJP spokesperson endorsed the jewellers' right to protect their businesses. Meanwhile, Minister and LJP(RV) leader Sanjay Singh said the rule would act as a deterrent to crime.
The federation's nationwide ambition for this policy indicates a potential shift in security protocols for high-value retail businesses across India, prioritizing safety over tradition in the face of economic realities.
