Chehra chupa liya hai, kisine hijab mein

Recently, a small controversy erupted on Shabana Azmi’s comments on Burqa being not compulsory in Islam. The mullahs said that the Burqa could never be a hindrance to education and progress, as a Burqa-clad woman can drive a car and also fly a fighter jet. A Bhopali would never have a doubt about that. Bhopali girls are seen nowadays zipping around in their two wheelers covering their faces. This is prevalent among all the female race of a certain age group in Bhopal, irrespective of caste and creed. The reason given for this differs greatly according to the age of the commentator. This is used as an effective sun screen, according to the younger generation, while people on the other side of the fence say that this is used to hide identities while moving around, may-be while pillion riding with characters censored by relatives. Apparently, this also comes in handy while going for movies. An interesting account of the parda comes in this fantastic article from Mohammad Farroqy. Recalling his childhood, he says

Many women walked around with the veil thrown back over their head. (Had the women of his constituency practiced this style, it might have made life easier for Jack Straw!) Especially so when they went to watch films, which they did in huge numbers. Sometimes, when sneaking away for a film, a taboo in my paternal house, my mother deliberately chose to wear a burqa for it would mask her identity. Spotting your woman in a burqa can be an exciting enterprise, the thrill of getting it right is matched equally by the hazard of messing it up, as Rajendra Kumar discovered in Mere Mahboob. Hindi Cinema has always played up the potential of misunderstanding as far as the burqa is concerned. Unless it is a Muslim social, the burqa usually makes an appearance as a device for combustible mix-ups and camouflage. Remember Satish Shah and co in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron.