Parliament approves bill banning burqa; fine up to ₹4 lakh for violation

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) – A bill banning the wearing of burqas and niqabs in public places has been passed by the Portuguese Parliament. If approved by the President, Portugal will join the ranks of European countries that have a complete or partial ban on face coverings. Violations could result in hefty fines of up to 4 lakh rupees.

Portugal's parliament has approved a controversial bill that would ban face coverings for religious or sexual reasons in public places. The law was proposed by the far-right Chega party, which has received support from right-wing parties. According to the bill, wearing the niqab will remain permitted on flights, diplomatic premises, and religious sites, but the burqa will be banned in public places such as markets, streets, and government buildings.

Violators

will be fined between 200 and 4,000 euros (approximately ₹18,000 and ₹400,000). If President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa signs the bill, it will become law. However, the president can veto it, in which case the matter will go to the Constitutional Court. This decision has sparked political debate in Portugal. While the Chega party argues that face coverings expose women to "social exclusion and oppression," left-wing parties have called it an attack on religious freedom. Pedro Delgado Alves, a lawmaker from the left-wing Socialist Party, said, "No woman should be forced to wear a burqa, but imposing restrictions on someone's clothing also goes against the fundamental principles of equality."

Wave of restrictions growing in Europe

If the law comes into effect, Portugal will join the list of countries like France, Belgium, Austria and the Netherlands, which already have partial or complete bans on face coverings in public places.