In Gujarat’s Bharuch district, a controversy stirred at Lions School in Ankleshwar when Muslim girl students were allegedly pressured to remove their hijabs before a Class X exam. The incident, which unfolded just before the mathematics paper of the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB), prompted swift action from the state’s Education Department.

Parents, outraged by the alleged coercion, lodged complaints, prompting District Education Officer Swati Raol to take action. Upon reviewing CCTV footage and receiving parental applications, Raol initiated an inquiry and swiftly replaced the exam center administrator, Ilaben Suratiya, who also served as the school’s principal.

Suratiya defended the actions, asserting that the request aimed to ensure clear video recordings of all students’ faces, in line with exam protocols. However, Raol contested this, stating that no specific guidelines regarding attire existed.

The controversy sparked emotional responses from parents, with reports of students, including one who cried for hours after the incident, feeling harassed and pressured by the school staff’s requests.

After thorough review and discussions with concerned parents, Raol initiated an investigation into the incident. The GSHSEB clarified that there were no specific dress code rules for examinees, emphasizing that students could wear any “decent” attire during exams. Exam Director M K Raval reinforced this, stating that students could appear for exams in any appropriate attire, with identity verification conducted by female supervisors before the exam.

The incident underscored sensitivities surrounding religious attire in educational settings and prompted broader discussions on inclusivity and respect for cultural and religious practices. While the Education Department’s swift response addressed immediate concerns, it also highlighted the importance of clear guidelines and sensitivity in educational institutions to ensure an environment that respects diversity and upholds students’ rights.

Source: PTI

Also read: Karnataka: No hijab ban, but exams will involve strict inspections