The right-wing party ‘Brothers of Italy’ led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has introduced a bill in parliament, which provides for a complete ban on face-covering clothing like burqa or niqab in public places across the country. The government has argued that this step has been taken with the aim of preventing ‘Islamic separatism’ and ‘cultural separatism’. Violators of this proposed law can face a fine of 300 to 3,000 euros (about 26,000 to 2.6 lakh rupees).
The bill was introduced in parliament on October 8, which mentions a ban on clothes that completely cover the face in schools, universities, shops, offices and all other public places. The bill, introduced by three party MPs, aims to combat religious extremism and religious hatred. The Maloni government claims that the measure will strengthen Italy’s social cohesion and root out “cultural separatism”.
Italy already had an old law from 1975 that banned the covering of the face in public places. But it did not explicitly mention the burqa or niqab. The League party, part of Maloni’s coalition, tried to impose a legal ban on face-covering clothing earlier this year. But now Maloni’s party, the Brothers of Italy, has decided to extend it nationwide.
The burqa is a full-body garment that has a mesh covering over the eyes. The niqab covers the face and leaves the area around the eyes uncovered.
A minister in Meloni’s government said, “This bill is inspired by France, where a ban on the burqa was imposed in 2011. We are committed to protecting Italy’s identity and unity through this bill.”
