In a significant move aimed at curbing crime, jewellery shops across Bihar have decided to prohibit entry to customers whose faces are covered. The decision, driven by mounting security concerns amidst soaring prices of gold and silver, was formalized by the Bihar unit of the All India Jewellers and Gold Federation (AIJGF).
Security Takes Precedence Over Tradition
The federation's state president, Ashok Kumar Verma, clarified that the directive is a pre-emptive security measure and not targeted against any specific community or group. Notices are already being displayed outside shops in Patna, informing customers of the new rule. "Customer's face must be visible, and he or she will not be allowed to enter a jewellery shop in any kind of veil, be it 'hijab', full helmet or 'pagdi/safa' (turban). There is no restriction on 'burqa' as such but no veil is allowed on the face," explained AIJGF national president Pankaj Arora.
Arora confirmed to TOI that this policy, first implemented at the state level in Bihar, will gradually be rolled out across the entire country. He referenced a similar decision by jewellers in Jhansi following theft incidents and emphasized that Bihar is pioneering the statewide implementation.
Rising Bullion Prices and Criminal Threats
The backdrop for this strict rule is the alarming surge in precious metal prices and a perceived increase in targeted crimes. Verma highlighted the current market rates, noting that a 10-gram gold chain 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.
"Robberies and thefts are happening in jewellery shops every day. It becomes difficult to identify the criminals because their faces are covered. They even use fake number plates on their vehicles. This step has been taken to prevent this," Verma stated. He also cited a grim incident from Maharashtra where four masked individuals killed a jeweller.
The security logic is reinforced by practical challenges during police investigations. "Even police question us about the identity in case of loot or theft as the person with face covered is not identified in the CCTV cameras," added Pankaj Arora.
Political Support and Implementation
The decision has found support from political figures across parties. BJP spokesman Neeraj Kumar saw no issue with the move, stating it was for business protection. Similarly, PHED minister and LJP(RV) leader Sanjay Singh defended the jewellers, noting that criminals often cover their faces during loots and that the rule would act as a deterrent.
When asked about potential pushback from customers affecting business, Verma, who was attending a CAIT meeting in Delhi, remained firm. He asserted that any genuine customer would cooperate, and "only antisocial elements will resist." In such cases, shop owners will politely refuse service and involve the police if necessary.
This statewide mandate in Bihar marks a new chapter in retail security for the jewellery industry, setting a precedent that is poised to reshape customer entry protocols in jewellery stores nationwide.
