Cooper Hospital Issues Notice to Guard After Burqa Row in Andheri
Cooper Hospital in Andheri has issued a show-cause notice to a security guard and initiated sensitisation workshops following allegations that a visitor was asked to remove her burqa before entering the maternity ward.
The incident occurred on Sunday when Advocate Jahanara Shaikh visited the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation-run hospital to see a relative. She alleged that security personnel stopped her outside the ward because of her attire, claiming that babies are stolen by people wearing burqas.
Shaikh questioned the hospital's stance, arguing that preventing child abduction is the responsibility of security staff and administration rather than a reason to restrict clothing choices. Another advocate, Zahra Shaikh, said she encountered a similar situation at the hospital and verified videos of the incident circulating on social media.
Cooper Hospital Dean Dr Chaya Shinde said the incident stemmed from a severe miscommunication and affirmed that the hospital treats all patients and visitors with respect. Dr Shinde confirmed that a show-cause notice was issued to the female security personnel on duty at the time, and sensitisation workshops were subsequently conducted for medical and security staff.
Dr Shinde highlighted ongoing staffing challenges, noting that the hospital operates with 76 security personnel, only 12 of whom are permanent, against a requirement of 176 personnel. The deployment of Maharashtra Security Force personnel is currently underway.
The matter drew reactions across political lines. Samajwadi Party leader Rais Shaikh termed the incident deeply concerning, while AIMIM leader Waris Pathan called it a violation of constitutional rights and personal choice. Congress MLA Aslam Sheikh alleged that such controversies are engineered to divert attention from broader public concerns.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde stated that denying entry to someone wearing a burqa was completely wrong, adding that all patients and visitors must be allowed entry on humanitarian grounds without regard to caste, religion, or creed. Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane supported security concerns at the facility, stating that measures aimed at preventing child abduction and crime could be justified.
