Sikhs wearing kara/kirpan to be allowed to take DSSSB exam if they reach 1 hr before time, HC told
New Delhi(PTI): The Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) informed the Delhi High Court on Friday it has decided to allow Sikh candidates to appear in examinations with metallic kara (bangle) or kirpan (dagger) subject to their reaching the centre at least one hour before the reporting time.
Taking into consideration the submissions of the counsel for the DSSSB, a bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad said no further orders are required to be passed and disposed of the petition filed by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).
The bench noted the board has issued revised guidelines which make it clear that it has taken a decision to allow Sikh candidates wearing kara and/or kirpan to take the examination.
However, such persons shall report at the examination centre at least one hour before the reporting time or else they will not be allowed to sit for the exam.
It is clear (from the guidelines) that if in screening, any candidate is found carrying any suspicious item in kara or kirpan, he or she will not be permitted to appear in the exam, the court noted.
Earlier, in July, a single judge of the high court had held as unsustainable a Sikh woman candidate being prevented from appearing in a competitive examination till she removed her metallic kara despite reaching the examination centre before the closing time in terms of the admit card.
The petitioner woman, who had challenged the denial of permission to her to appear in the PGT-Economics (Female) examination, argued the action by the authorities cannot be sustained on the ground that there was already a notification informing the candidates desirous of wearing a kara and/or kirpan to reach the examination centre at least one hour before the reporting time as it was notified two days after the examination was held.
The single judge had said it was highly unfortunate that a specialised body like DSSSB, which regularly holds examinations with a large number of Sikh candidates appearing, did not take timely action to inform the candidates about the conditions related to the two Sikh religious symbols.
The court had then directed the DSSSB to ensure that adequate notice, which is well in advance, is given concerning the additional requirement to reach the examination centre one hour before the reporting time in case a candidate is wearing a kara and/or kirpan so no undue hardship is caused to them.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
