Student allegedly forced to remove Hijab for UGC NET Exam in Karnataka
Bengaluru: On Tuesday, June 18, a student in Karnataka alleged that she was forced to remove her headscarf before sitting for the UGC NET examination at an exam center in Ram Nagar, Karnataka.
The student, who has previously appeared for various competitive exams including UPSC-CSE, UPSC-EPFO, SSC-CGL, CSIR-AO, IB-ACIO, and RRB, stated this was her first experience of being required to remove her hijab before writing any exam. She mentioned that in all previous exams, she was allowed to wear her hijab.
According to the student, the National Testing Agency (NTA), which organizes the UGC NET exam, has a provision in its list of instructions stating: "If religion/customs require you to wear specific attire, please visit the Centre early for thorough checking and mandatory frisking."
Adhering to this instruction, the student reported at the exam center an hour before the scheduled time. However, she was told she could not appear for the exam wearing her hijab. She was only permitted to write the exam after agreeing to remove her hijab. Speaking to Vartha Bharati on the condition of anonymity, she expressed her dismay at the incident.
"I followed the instructions and arrived at the exam center early. Despite this, I was told I couldn't wear my hijab during the exam. I was only allowed to proceed after I agreed to remove it," she said.
Furthermore, she pointed out a discrepancy in the enforcement of rules. Although wearing jewelry was prohibited, she observed several students taking the exam while wearing mangalsutras. When she raised this issue, she was ignored and told to remove her hijab if she wished to write the exam.
"I saw many students wearing mangalsutras, and toe rings which is also against the rules, but they were allowed to take the exam. When I questioned this, I was simply told to remove my hijab if I wanted to write the exam," she added.
This incident is not isolated. In December 2023, a student in Patna reported a similar experience, claiming she was barred from the UGC NET exam for refusing to remove her hijab. In another case in 2018, a student in Panaji also alleged she was not allowed to write the UGC NET exam because she refused to take off her headscarf.
The student and her parents have called on the NTA to clarify its stance on religious attire during exams. They questioned why students are not allowed to wear hijabs even when they comply with the instruction to arrive early for thorough checking. "Why such double standards?" they asked, seeking a clear and consistent policy that respects religious customs while maintaining exam security.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
