Bengaluru: Hours after the Karnataka Examination Authority issued its new dress code placing a ban on all forms of head cover, Karnataka Education Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar clarified that there was no ban on hijabs during the recruitment examinations for boards and corporations.

The KEA's dress code, aimed at curbing malpractices such as cheating using Bluetooth devices, faced criticism from various groups and politicians, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

However, Sudhakar emphasized that the primary objective of the dress code is to prevent malpractices. He explained that hijabs, which do not cover the mouth, make it impossible to use Bluetooth devices for cheating.

Also read: KEA issues dress code for recruitment tests to state-run boards and corporations

The Minister specified that for women candidates wearing hijabs, would need to arrive at exam centers one hour earlier and undergo thorough frisking. Additional metal detectors will be introduced to enhance vigilance and prevent cheating.

Sudhakar further clarified, "These rules are not novel; they existed previously. Our aim is to heighten vigilance. While unnecessary caps or scarves are not allowed, this does not apply to the hijab."

KEA’s announcement came in light of the examinations of various boards and corporations slated to be held on November 18 and 19 across the state.

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Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.

Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.

Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.

An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.

The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.

A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.

Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."

"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.

"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.

A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.