"Focus on Policy, Not Religion": Indian Leaders React to Swiss Burqa Ban

New Delhi- Indian politicians offered varied perspectives on Switzerland's newly enacted "burqa ban," effective January 1st, emphasizing the country's right to establish its own laws and cautioning against viewing the decision solely through a religious lens.

The ban, which prohibits facial coverings in public spaces including nose, mouth, and eyes, has drawn international debate. While the law carries a potential fine of up to 1,000 Swiss francs ($1,144) for violators, exceptions exist for private or sacred spaces, planes, and diplomatic premises.

BJP national spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stressed that Switzerland has its own security arrangements and laws, stating, "Every country has its own rules and laws... I do not think there is a need to view this matter from a religious perspective."

Echoing this sentiment, NCP-SP leader Majeed Memon highlighted the law's potential lack of impact on India, given Switzerland's small size and Muslim population compared to India's.

Memon emphasized that India's Muslim population, estimated to be over 200 million, far exceeds Switzerland's total population, rendering the ban irrelevant to the Indian context. Memon added, "Many Muslim-dominated countries might criticize this idea. However, in India, where people of all faiths live together harmoniously, I do not think it will have any effect."

The ban, which does not explicitly target Islam, was proposed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) under the banner "Stop Extremism." It also aimed to prohibit violent protesters from wearing masks. In 2021, Swiss people approved the ban, with 51.2 per cent voting in favour and 48.8 per cent against it in a referendum.

The Swiss government, however, had opposed the measure, arguing that it was not the state's role to dictate how individuals dress. Switzerland operates under a direct democracy system, where citizens regularly vote on national and regional issues. The "burqa ban" referendum was part of this system, granting people a direct say in their governance. The law includes exceptions for facial coverings in places of worship, during public health emergencies, or for safety reasons in the workplace.