A move already being billed by clerics as "anti-religious prejudice".

From The Times of India:

MUMBAI/PUNE: As a controversy appeared to be brewing over the Jewellers' Association of Maharashtra's demand that veiled women be barred from entering shops, Islamic clerics condemned the move and said Muslims would boycott outlets that implemented such a restriction.

Asked about complaints by jewellers about the "menace" of burqa-clad customers and their plea to be allowed to screen such customers following an increase in robberies, deputy chief minister R R Patil told reporters here that he had not received any such complaint.

"I have no information on this," Patil said. Muslim clerics and the leading seminary Darul Uloom Waqf Deoband opposed the move, saying it could create tension. Terming the proposal "anti-religious", Darul Uloom Waqf Deoband requested the Maharashtra government to take action against its implementation.

"It is an act that would create tension. The Maharashtra government should take steps to prevent such an act," said Maulana Anjar Shah Kashmiri of the seminary in Uttar Pradesh. Maulana Mehmood Daryabadi of the All-India Ulema Council said Muslims would be "compelled" to boycott shops that imposed restrictions on the entry of veiled women.

"If they try to implement this decision, Muslims will be compelled to boycott purchasing jewellery from shops where women in burqas are not allowed to enter," he said.