Muslim female students asked to remove hijab in a private school at Ankleshwar (Gujarat)

Following complaints from parents, action was taken against the administrator of the exam centre and the school principal

(Hijab refers to the garment worn by Muslim women to cover their head and neck.)

Bharuch (Gujarat) – Before the commencement of the Mathematics exam for Class X on March 13th at Lions School in Ankleshwar, some Muslim female students were allegedly asked by the exam center in-charge to remove their hijabs. This accusation by the students’ parents led the state education department to order the removal of the administrator of the exam centre and the school’s principal, Ilaben Suratiya. Upon reviewing the CCTV recording of the exam hall, it was observed that two Muslim female students were asked to remove their hijabs. The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board clarified that there is no specific rule regarding students’ attire and they can appear for the exams in any appropriate dress.

Editorial Perspective

While the BJP Government in Karnataka had imposed a hijab ban in schools, the same is now being observed in under BJP governed Rajasthan; however, no such ban exists in Gujarat. This highlights the varying rules about uniforms in private and Government schools across the country, underscoring the need for a uniform policy nationwide.