Uttar Pradesh: Muslim woman denied medicines at hospital for refusing to remove hijab
Lucknow: A Muslim woman was denied medicines at a government hospital in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, for refusing to remove hijab, sparking outrage on social media and renewed concerns over the treatment of Muslims in India, particularly in BJP-ruled states.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident occurred at Ursula Horsman Memorial Hospital, where doctors asked the woman to remove her hijab before medicines could be dispensed to her.
A video of the woman recounting the incident has gone viral on social media. She said that after waiting for nearly an hour following the issuance of her token number, two female doctors told her that she would have to remove her hijab, citing security concerns and incidents of theft at the hospital.
Questioning the directive, the woman said there was no justification for asking her to remove a religious head covering. “I can understand being asked to remove a mask for identification, but why should I remove my hijab?” she asked. Referring to CCTV cameras installed at the hospital, she questioned the rationale behind the rule, saying surveillance systems were already in place to address security concerns.
The woman further said that the policy was being selectively enforced against Muslim women. “Other women were being allowed to enter without any such restrictions. Why are only Muslim women being targeted?” she asked, describing the treatment as discriminatory and humiliating.
The incident has triggered widespread criticism online, with many social media users, activists and members of the Muslim community questioning the fairness of linking religious attire to security concerns. Critics argued that such actions contribute to a growing sense of marginalization among Muslims and reflect increasing intolerance towards visible expressions of Islamic identity.
