New Delhi: After Sikh community sought exemption for women pillion riders from wearing helmets, some Muslim groups have also demanded the same relief for burqa-clad women riding pillion in the capital.
Transport Department on May 2 issued a notification seeking objections from people over its decision to amend the Motor Vehicle Rules, 1993, for making helmets mandatory for all women riding pillion on two-wheelers.
According to Transport officials, some Muslim groups have submitted their objections, demanding that burqa-clad Muslim women riding pillion should be exempted from wearing helmets.
"Some groups from Muslim community said in their objections that making helmets mandatory for Muslim women would cause inconvenience to those wearing burqa or naqab," a transport department official said.
"It is not possible for Muslim women to wear both burqa and helmet. They can even fall on road while riding pillion as they will not be able to see properly," an official quoted one of the objections made by a Muslim group.
According to official, Transport Department has now sent all objections and suggestions received from people in the last one month to Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, who will take a final call on the matter.
Transport Department has already decided to give exemption to Sikh women pillion riders from wearing helmets in the national capital.
The decision was taken after the Sikh community strongly objected to the Transport department`s move of making helmets mandatory for all women pillion riders.
