Umayya Khan, a student appearing for National Eligibility Test (NET) at Ojas Institute of Management, Delhi, was disallowed from wearing her hijab for the exam on Thursday, 20 December, The Telegraph reported.
Umayya's allegations come two days after Safina Khan Soudagar - a student from Goa alleged that she was disallowed to sit for NET exams after refusing to remove her Hijab.
NET is conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to determine eligibility for college and university level lecturership and for the award of Junior Research Fellowship. (JRF)
Speaking to news agency, ANI, Umayya alleged that she even allowed the authorities to "frisk her privately" for security concerns, however, she added, saying the authorities were insistent on getting her to remove the hijab.
The student further said that she asked the authorities to show her the examination guidelines where it says that a hijab is forbidden, but despite protests, she was not allowed to write the exam.
Goa Student Too Not Allowed
On 18 December, A 24-year-old, Safina Khan Soudagar accused officials conducting the National Eligibility Test (NET) in Goa of not allowing her to appear for the examination after she refused to take off her hijab.
However, officials maintained that the hijab and other accessories are not allowed to prevent cheating and also from a security point of view.
Denying reports on ‘religious impartiality’, a senior official of the Directorate of Higher Education in Panaji who overlooks the UGC examination in Goa told PTI, that it is not just ‘hijab’ as ‘mangalsutra’ (sacred necklace worn by married Hindu women) or any other accessory is not allowed in the examination centre.
“These measures are taken to prevent cheating and also from the security point of view.”
Reacting to the incident, Dr Amirul Hasan Ansari, Professor and Honorary Director of Jamia Millia Islamia said that incident is a violation of Ummay’s fundamental right of right to education.
“What happened to Umayya Khan was a violation of her right to education. In a democratic system, it shouldn’t have happened. As far as hijab is concerned, it is used. In our country, everyone has full rights.”Dr Amirul Hasan Ansari, Professor
(With inputs from PTI, The Telegraph and ANI.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)