Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Waris Pathan Criticizes Meloni Over Proposed Italian Burqa Ban
Italy’s government wants to restrict face-covering veils such as burqas and niqabs in schools.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the proposal at a youth-wing event.
The plan is connected to broader rules about immigration and helping students integrate at school.
It may also limit the number of foreign students in some classes.
Some parents of foreign students could be required to learn Italian.
Indian politician Waris Pathan criticized Meloni’s proposal.
He used insulting and vulgar comments about the clothes women should wear.
More details will be known if the proposal goes to Italy’s Cabinet.
AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s proposed restrictions on face-covering veils in schools.
Pathan said Meloni preferred women to wear bras, panties and bikinis, remarks described as vulgar in the report.
Meloni said her government would seek Cabinet approval for restrictions on burqas and niqabs in schools.
The proposal is part of wider measures involving immigration, school integration and Italian-language education.
The Italian government has also proposed limiting foreign-student enrolment and requiring some parents to learn Italian.
- Who
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed the measures, while AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan criticized them.
- What
- Italy proposed restrictions on burqas and niqabs in schools, alongside other immigration and integration measures.
- When
- Meloni announced the proposal on a Sunday at an annual gathering of the youth wing of Brothers of Italy.
- Where
- In Italy, specifically in schools.
- Why
- The Italian government presented the measures as part of its education, immigration and school-integration policies.
Waris Pathan’s Criticism
Italian Government’s Proposal
Face-covering veils in schools
Waris Pathan’s Criticism
Pathan opposed the proposed restrictions and called them shameless, while arguing that Meloni preferred revealing clothing.
Italian Government’s Proposal
Meloni’s government proposed restricting burqas and niqabs in schools as part of wider education and integration policies.
Purpose of the measures
Waris Pathan’s Criticism
Pathan portrayed the proposal as opposition to covered clothing and criticized Meloni’s views on women’s dress.
Italian Government’s Proposal
The government presented the restrictions alongside measures addressing immigration, foreign-student enrolment and Italian-language learning.
- Main proposal
- Restrictions on face-covering veils, including burqas and niqabs, in schools
- Italian leader
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
- Critic
- AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan
- Additional measure
- Mandatory Italian-language lessons for some parents of foreign students
- Student policy
- A proposed limit on the enrolment of foreign students
- Legislative status
- Further details are expected as the measure goes before Italy’s Cabinet