BJP Madhavi Latha removes Muslim women's hijab, sparks outrage

Kompella Madhavi Latha, a candidate of BJP from Hyderabad, faces a police case following a video showing her asking burqa-clad Muslim women to reveal their faces at a polling booth.

According to NDTV, she did so that she could match them with the photographs on their voter ID cards.

Under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act, the case has been registered against the BJP candidate has been registered in Malakpet Police Station, as confirmed by the Hyderabad’s Collector’s office.

In the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls that is underway today, Latha is among the most-talked about candidates. A formidable candidate — four-time MP from Hyderabad and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi is her rival.

District Election Officer Ronald Ross earlier told the outlet that "police will be registering an FIR against Madhavi Latha because no candidate has the right to lift someone's veil to check her identity. If there is a suspicion, a candidate can ask the polling officer to verify a voter's identity," he said.

On the other hand, the BJP candidate told ANI that a candidate has the right to check voter ID cards. 

"I am a candidate. As per law, a candidate has the right to check ID cards without facemasks. I am not a man, I am a woman and with a lot of humility, I requested them. If somebody wants to make a big issue out of it, it means they are scared," she said.