Denmark becomes 5th European country to ban Burqa, Niqab

Denmark on Friday became the fifth European country to ban garments that cover the face, including Islamic veils like Burqa and Niqab in public spaces. In a 75-30 vote, Danish lawmakers approved the law which is to come into effect from August 1, 2018. Denmark joins Austria, Bulgaria, France and Belgium in the list of countries which ban clothes that cover the face. However, the country’s govt said that its purpose is not to aim at any particular religion and it does not ban headscarves, turbans or the traditional Jewish skullcap. The punishment for violating the new law comes at a hefty price as well. First-time offenders will have to pay a fine of 1,000 kroner (Rs 8,209), whereas repeat offenders will have to pay 10,000 kroner (Rs 1,05,480) or jailed for up to six months.