Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Burqa-Wearing Women Allegedly Stopped at Mumbai Hospital
A video on social media shows two women wearing burqas arguing with security workers at a Mumbai hospital.
The women were reportedly visiting someone in the hospital.
One of them was advocate Zahra Shaikh.
She said workers wanted her to remove her burqa before entering.
She objected because she believed this affected her dignity, privacy and religious freedom.
Security workers reportedly said they were checking visitors’ identities.
They also mentioned safety concerns about possible child theft.
It is not clear whether staff formally demanded that the burqa be removed or were carrying out a routine check.
The hospital had not confirmed exactly what happened, and no police complaint had been filed according to available information.
A viral video shows two burqa-wearing women allegedly stopped at BMC-run Cooper Hospital in Mumbai.
Advocate Zahra Shaikh and her friend were reportedly visiting a relative when an argument began with security personnel.
Shaikh objected to an alleged request to remove her burqa, citing dignity, privacy and religious freedom.
Security personnel reportedly cited identity verification, precautionary measures and concerns over possible child theft.
Hospital authorities had not confirmed the incident, and no local police report had been filed according to available information.
- Who
- Advocate Zahra Shaikh, her friend and hospital security personnel were involved; a man accompanying the women recorded the incident.
- What
- Two women wearing burqas were allegedly stopped at the hospital entrance amid a dispute over identity verification and an alleged request to remove a burqa.
- When
- An undated video surfaced on social media on Monday; the date of the incident was not provided.
- Where
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation-run Cooper Hospital in Mumbai.
- Why
- Security personnel reportedly cited identity checks, precautionary measures and concerns over possible child theft; Shaikh objected on grounds of dignity, privacy and religious freedom.
Visitor’s Objection
Security Personnel’s Rationale
Burqa removal and religious freedom
Visitor’s Objection
Zahra Shaikh allegedly said being asked to remove her burqa infringed on her dignity, privacy and constitutional right to religious freedom.
Security Personnel’s Rationale
Security personnel reportedly sought to verify visitors’ identities, but the available reports do not establish whether they formally required the women to remove their burqas.
Hospital entry policies
Visitor’s Objection
The incident prompted social media questions about whether hospitals should restrict entry based on visitors’ clothing or religion.
Security Personnel’s Rationale
Security personnel reportedly justified checks by citing precautionary measures and concerns over possible child theft.
- Hospital
- Cooper Hospital, run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
- Location
- Mumbai
- People involved
- Advocate Zahra Shaikh and her friend
- Reported dispute
- An alleged request that Shaikh remove her burqa before entering
- Security explanation
- Visitor identity verification, precautionary measures and concerns over possible child theft
- Evidence
- An undated video circulated widely on social media
- Official and police status
- Hospital authorities had not confirmed the incident, and no local police report had been filed according to available information
