No rule to restrict entry in exam for wearing hijab, Goa govt after woman denied entry
Panaji, Jan 08: Against the backdrop of a woman alleging that she was not allowed to appear for the National Eligibility Test (NET) in Goa after she refused to take off her 'hijab', a state government official has clarified that there are no rules specifying dress code for the exam.
Last month, Safina Khan Soudagar, 24, had said she was asked by the supervisor at the examination centre in Panaji to remove her hijab (head scarf) and when she refused to do so, she was not allowed to take the exam.
"The woman should have been allowed to appear in the examination," Goa's higher education director Prasad Lolienkar said in a letter to the National Testing Agency of the Union Human Resource Development Ministry.
Prime facie, it appears there are no rules specified on the website (concerned) or elsewhere pertaining to exams, specially about restrictions on hijab or a particular dress code, Lolienkar said in the letter written on January 1.
"If, for any reason, hijab is not allowed, then it should be clearly mentioned in the instructions," he said, adding that examiners and supervisors should be sensitive towards personal liberties and religious sentiments of the candidates.
He said clear instructions needed to be specified on the website concerned or admit card of an exam so that candidates are well aware of the terms and conditions about the dress code, "specially keeping in mind all faiths".
Soudagar had earlier moved the Goa State Human Rights Commission after not being allowed to appear for the NET, conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to determine eligibility for college and university level lectureship and for the award of junior research fellowship.
She had also sent an e-mail to Lolienkar, giving details about the incident which had happened on December 18, 2018 in Panaji.
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West Asia conflict: Modi calls ministerial meeting to review energy situation
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting Sunday evening with senior ministers to review to take stock of petroleum, power, and fertiliser sectors in view of the evolving West Asia situation, sources have said.
The focus of the meeting is to ensure uninterrupted supply, stable logistics and efficient distribution across the country, and the government is taking proactive steps to this end, they said.
Continuous monitoring of global developments to protect consumer and industry interests is the key focus of the government, they said.
On March 12, Modi said that the war in West Asia has triggered a worldwide energy crisis, posing a critical test of national character that requires dealing with circumstances through peace, patience, and increased public awareness.
The prime minister emphasised that his government is working relentlessly to address disruptions that have emerged in international supply chains.
"Continuous efforts are also underway to determine how we can overcome the disruptions that have occurred in the supply chain," Modi said.
The prime minister has spoken to many global leaders since the West Asia conflict started on February 28, with the US and Israel attacking Iran.
Iran has retaliated by attacking Israel and several of its Gulf neighbours.
Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which 20 per cent of the world's energy is transported. Since the conflict, very few ships have been allowed by Iran to cross it.
The blockade has resulted in severe disruptions in energy supply to many countries, including India.
Since the conflict, Modi has had telephonic conversations with leaders from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, France, Malaysia, Israel and Iran.
