Shiv Sena distances itself from 'Saamna' article demanding burqa ban in India; 'it is an analysis, not opinion', clarifies Sanjay Raut

Responding to the Saamna editorial published on Wednesday demanding a Burqa ban in India, Shiv Sena leader, and Saamna editor, Sanjay Raut, on Sunday has clarified that editorial was not the personal opinion of Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackrey or the Party itself.

"The burqa ban was not the demand of Shiv Sena or Uddhav Thackeray. Saamana just published an analysis of the developments in Sri Lanka," said Raut in his weekly column published in Saamana's Sunday edition, according to PTI.

Controversial: Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray Asks PM Modi To Ban Burqa In India After Similar Move By Sri Lanka

Earlier on Wednesday, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece had demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ban burqa across the country requesting the government to follow the footsteps of Sri Lanka and ban the burqa in India.

In the party's editorial, Shiv Sena has asked PM Modi that if Sri Lanka, which is the country of Raavan, can ban burqa, then why can't India, which is the country of Lord Ram, implement the same in the country.

"Sri Lankan President Maithripala has taken a courageous decision by banning Burqa or mask which covers face for security reasons," quotes Saamana, Shiv Sena mouthpiece.

Adding that many countries have banned burqa or facial coverings, the BJP ally has raised the demand to do the same in India in the national interest of the country. 

"We are asking this question because PM Modi is going to Ayodhya today. We are raising this demand in the national interest," the editorial further reads. 

Raut had also tweeted that Muslim women reluctantly wear a burqa and called for the freedom for the 'Muslim sisters.'

(Those Muslim women who do not wear burqas are getting angry on TV channels. Tell me why you don't wear burqas? Do you feel suffocated? You are capable, hence you gave up the burqa, but 90% of Muslim sisters are still oppressed. They are wearing burqa against their wishes. Free the sisters from this suffocation, let them breathe.

In the aftermath of eight string of blasts that shook Sri Lanka's Colombo, the country called for a complete ban all facial coverings. 

"President Maithripala Sirisena took this decision to further support the ongoing security and help the armed forces to easily identify the identity of any wanted perpetrators," according to a press note from the Sri Lankan president's office.

(With PTI inputs)