What is this Burqa checking controversy just before voting in UP By-Election-2024: What is the Stance of SP and BJP?

UP By-Election-2024: As Uttar Pradesh gears up for by-elections on November 20, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has raised concerns regarding the security procedures for Muslim women voters who wear burqas. In a letter to the Election Commission (EC), the SP requested that burqa-wearing women be allowed to vote without being asked to remove their coverings for security checks. The  SP said such checks cause fear and discomfort to the women. This appeal has sparked political debate and drawn opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), heightening tensions just before voting commences.

Such checks discourage women from voting: SP

In its letter to the EC, the Samajwadi Party argued that the current practice of requiring women in burqas to remove them for identity checks is causing distress among Muslim women. The party emphasized that such checks discourage these women from voting, as they fear for their personal dignity and privacy. The SP appealed to the EC to consider alternatives that maintain the sanctity of the voting process without compromising the comfort of women voters.

SP further argued that Muslim women should be allowed to cast their votes without the need to remove their burqas, as long as they provide valid identification. The party believes that any inspection should be done with respect and dignity, aligning with cultural sensitivities, so as not to deter women from participating in the democratic process.

BJP’s Response: Ensuring Transparency in Voting

The BJP, on the other hand, has rejected SP’s argument, asserting that thorough checks are essential to prevent any potential misuse of the voting process. BJP leaders have expressed concerns about fraudulent voting and maintain that proper identification verification, including the removal of face coverings, is necessary to uphold election transparency. This stance has been a long-standing demand from the party, with similar appeals made to the EC in past elections.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, for instance, the Delhi BJP unit urged the EC to implement stricter checks on voters wearing burqas or niqabs. BJP leaders argue that these checks are not intended to target any particular community but to preserve the integrity of the voting system.

(PRAKASH KUMAR PANDEY)