No hijab during board exams otherwise...: Karnataka minister
Premium- Tomorrow, there is no scope of violation of the dress code, Karnataka minister said
Students will not be allowed to sit for the 10th standard examination of the State board wearing hijab, Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh notified on Sunday. And in case a student skips the exam, there would not be a re-examination. The exams that start on Monday will be taken by more than 8.76 lakh students across the state.
"After the High Court order, we've not allowed that (hijab). We've given clarification that they (students with hijab) can come into the campus wearing the hijab but they cannot put it on in the classroom. The same condition will apply during the exams," Nagesh said, as quoted by PTI.
"According to the Karnataka Education Act and the Rules, religious sentiments should not be part of the uniform dress rule. The same notification, the HC has upheld. Tomorrow, there is no scope of violation of the dress code," Nagesh added. He said arrangements have been made to ensure that the exam takes place smoothly.
Also, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai appealed to the students to write the exam without fear. He said the Department of Education and the Department of Home have made arrangements for the smooth conduct of the exams.
"Keeping in view the welfare of students and the impact of COVID-19, we decided to hold an easy exam. Children have to write it and shape their future. I appeal to them to write the test freely, courageously," Bommai said.
Meanwhile, asking to not sensationalise the matter any further, the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to accord urgent hearing on the pleas challenging the Karnataka High Court verdict which dismissed the petitions seeking permission to wear hijab inside the classroom and stated that the headscarf is not a part of the essential religious practice in Islam.
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