Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind says invigilators forced removal of hijab, rejected offer of women staff checks and used insulting words
BHAVNAGAR — A serious dispute has surfaced in this city of Gujarat after a Muslim girl was stopped from taking the Railway Recruitment Board examination because she was wearing a hijab, prompting protests and a formal complaint to the district administration.
The examination was held on 24 December at JPM Infotech, a government school in Trasmiya, Bhavnagar. According to the complaint, the candidate reached the centre on time and followed all exam rules. Trouble began when invigilators asked her to remove her hijab.
The girl refused to remove it in front of male staff and offered a clear option. “I am ready to show my face and ID card to a woman officer. Please call a female inspector,” she told the staff present, as stated in the memorandum.
Despite this, she was not allowed to sit the exam. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind alleged that the invigilator rejected her request and used offensive language. One invigilator allegedly told her, “It would be better if people like you do not take the exam,” words that the organisation described as insulting and discriminatory.
In its memorandum to the Additional Collector, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said the candidate did not create any disturbance. “She fully cooperated with the checking process and did not obstruct any duty,” the organisation stated, adding that the refusal came only from the staff at the centre.
The group has demanded strict action against those responsible after checking CCTV footage from the examination hall. It has also called for a written apology to the student and a fresh chance for her to appear in the exam.
“This is not just one girl’s case. It is about the dignity and equal rights of Muslim women,” a Jamiat representative said. “Religious dress cannot be used as an excuse to deny education or employment.”
The organisation has also asked the administration to issue clear instructions so that no candidate is treated differently because of religion, language or background.
Past guidelines from several exam bodies have allowed religious dress, including hijab, when identity checks are done privately by women staff. In this case, no such arrangement was provided, despite the student’s request.
At the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Railway Recruitment Board or the Gujarat Police. The family of the student said they are waiting for action. “My daughter studied hard and reached the centre with hope. She came back in tears,” a relative said. “We want justice, nothing else.”
The incident has again raised questions about fair treatment of Indian Muslims in public examinations and the duty of authorities to protect constitutional rights.
