SC refuses to allow headscarves, full-sleeve shirts in AIPMT retest - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

SC refuses to allow headscarves, full-sleeve shirts in AIPMT retest

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Jul 25, 2015 08:17 AM IST

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain Islamic organisations' petition saying that Muslim girl students be allowed to wear head scarf during AIPMT re-test.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea of an Islamic group opposing a dress code prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) that barred candidates appearing for its July 25 All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) from wearing headscarves and full-sleeve shirts.

The Students Islamic Organisation of India had asked the court to intervene on their behalf, arguing that some articles of clothing like a hijab, or a veil, were part of their “essential religious practice”.

But the bench headed by Chief Justice of India HL Dattu rejected the plea, saying, “If you appear in an examination without a scarf, your faith will not disappear.” The court said faith was not connected to wearing a particular type of clothes and while describing the plea as "nothing but an ego", it said candidates could put on the headscarves after the examination was over.

The CBSE prescribed the dress code after the top court on June 15 scrapped the results of the AIPMT held on May 3 over allegations of widespread cheating and ordered a fresh test.

The Kerala high court had on Tuesday allowed two students, Nidha Raheem and Asiya Abdul Kareem, to write their examinations wearing full-sleeve clothes and hijab. It directed CBSE authorities to depute a female invigilator at the examination centre while asking the students to present themselves to the invigilator 30 minutes before the test.

But the apex court took a different view. Calling the dress code a “small issue”, it pointed out that the AIPMT was being re-conducted because it had to be cancelled owing to irregularities.

“If the board has issued guidelines to ensure exams are conducted without any problem, we shall not interfere with it,” the CJI told the petitioner. “Examiners cannot conduct inquiry into everyone’s faith. They have to do it (AIPMT) appropriately this time.”

The court recalled an SC administrative decision wherein it had barred people from wearing caps. “This was challenged on the judicial side and we did not entertain it, although on the administrative side it was given up later,” the CJI said.

Read:

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections.Watch now!

Get latest news on Education, Bihar Board 12th Result 2024 Live along with Board Exam, Competitive Exam and Exam Result at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Bhadra is a legal correspondent and reports Supreme Court proceedings, besides writing on legal issues. A law graduate, Bhadra has extensively covered trial of high-profile criminal cases. She has had a short stint as a crime reporter too.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On