Incident at Cooper Hospital
A video showing two women in burqas being stopped from entering the maternal ward of Cooper Hospital in Mumbai's Vile Parle has circulated widely on social media. The women were reportedly there to visit a relative admitted to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-run hospital. An argument is said to have broken out between the women and a police officer stationed at the ward's entry gate, a claim carried so far by Lokmat Times.
One of the women, Advocate Zahra Shaikh, said in an interview with the agency IANS that she and her companion were told they could not enter the ward while wearing burqas. She said they were stopped right outside the maternity ward and, even after she introduced herself, were told: "No matter who you are, we will not allow you to enter in a burqa." Shaikh said the security staff cited concern over child theft and asked, "Are babies stolen only by people wearing burqas?" and referenced an incident at Wadia Hospital where, according to her, babies had been stolen by someone wearing a saree.
Times Now, in its coverage, reported that the incident took place at Cooper Hospital and that the video was widely shared. It also reported, in its account, that security personnel cited precautionary measures and possible child theft as reason for checking the identity of those entering, while noting ambiguity about whether the women were formally asked to remove their burqas or whether the request was part of routine verification.
Political and Official Reaction
Bhiwandi East MLA Rais Shaikh has taken up the matter, telling the press that he has spoken to the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Public Health) and requested a verification of the incident and appropriate action. Resharing the video, Shaik is quoted as saying: "No woman should face discrimination because of her attire or religion."
No official statement has yet been issued by Cooper Hospital about the incident, and there is no immediate indication from either outlet that the matter has been brought to the local police.
Broader Context
In a separate incident, a man was alleged to have been found begging inside the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan while dressed in a burqa, an episode that surfaced during the Mahanna Chhathi period at the shrine, according to Times Now. The incident has added a layer to the ongoing online discussions about the challenges of balancing security measures with respect for religious attire and personal dignity in public spaces.
The viral nature of the Cooper Hospital incident has drawn attention to the protocols and practices at public healthcare facilities, particularly concerning how identity checks are conducted for visitors while respecting religious customs.