Waris Pathan targets Meloni over burqa ban pitch, says she prefers if ‘women wear bras, panties outside’

AIMIM national spokesperson also said that Italian PM Meloni had adopted what he described as Indian govt’s approach towards Muslims.

AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan has hit out at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over her proposed ban on the burqa and niqab in schools | ANI file photos

New Delhi: AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan has hit out at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over her proposed ban on the burqa and niqab in schools, saying she was more interested in women wearing “bras, panties and bikinis outside”. 

He claimed that the Italian PM had adopted what he described as the Indian government’s approach towards Muslims. “She is friends with PM Modi. She has become like him.”

Speaking to ThePrint, Pathan said Meloni “doesn’t like women dressed conservatively”.

“Meloni is more interested in women wearing a bra and a panty outside, she’s interested in women wearing bikinis,” he added.

He further attacked Meloni over the proposed restrictions on face coverings. “Meloni hates burqa and niqab, she probably likes bras and bikinis. She likes women dressed in bras, panties and bikinis publicly. She doesn’t like it if a woman is covered and dressed respectfully, this is absolutely shameless.”

Meloni had announced the proposed measures at an annual gathering of the youth wing of her Brothers of Italy party Sunday. She said her government would bring before the Cabinet a measure to ban face-covering veils such as the burqa and niqab in schools.

The proposed ban is part of a broader set of measures on immigration and integration in Italian schools. Meloni has also proposed a cap on enrolment of foreign students and mandatory Italian lessons for immigrants.

Modi and Meloni have shared a warm public relationship since she became Italy’s prime minister in 2022, meeting several times on the sidelines of international summits as well as during bilateral visits.

Modi has publicly referred to Meloni as a “friend”, while their frequent interactions have also spawned the popular “Melodi” moniker on social media — a combination of their surnames.

The two countries have also sought to deepen ties in recent years, expanding cooperation in areas including trade, defence, security and technology.

(Edited by Gitanjali Das)