Advertisement
Gujarat: In a recent incident in Bharuch, Gujarat, Muslim girl students were reportedly compelled to remove their hijabs before a Class X examination, sparking outrage among parents and the community. The action, taken by the principal of Lions School in Ankleshwar town, led to swift action from the Gujarat Education Department, removing the exam center administrator, Ilaben Suratiya, from duty.
Parents gathered at the school in protest after their daughters were pressured to remove their hijabs just before the mathematics paper of the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB). District Education Officer Swati Raol took immediate action following complaints, initiating an inquiry into the incident and replacing Suratiya as the exam center administrator.
Suratiya defended the actions, stating they were to ensure clear video recordings of students’ faces, a requirement according to exam protocols. However, Raol contested this, highlighting that there are no specific instructions regarding attire during exams.
CCTV footage reviewed by parents showed women supervisors asking Muslim students to remove their hijabs for facial identification, citing exam protocols. Parents expressed distress over the incident, with one reporting that their daughter cried for hours afterward.
The GSHSEB clarified that there are no specific dress code rules for examinees, emphasizing that students can wear any “decent” attire during exams. Exam Director M K Raval reiterated this, stating that students are free to wear any suitable attire for exams.
The incident has prompted an investigation and calls for accountability from authorities, highlighting the importance of respecting religious practices and ensuring fairness and dignity for all students during examinations.
