Female student claims tehsil staff denies her an OBC certificate thrice; DM orders inquiry into alleged bias
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI/ALIGARH — A case from Aligarh has raised serious questions about discrimination in government offices after a non-Muslim student, Hema Kashyap, was denied her caste certificate thrice allegedly for wearing a headscarf in her application photo. As a result, she missed the opportunity to appear in the NEET exam she had been preparing for over the past year.
The incident has sparked outrage, especially as Hema belongs to the Hindu community and had worn the scarf only to shield herself from the scorching summer heat — a common and culturally acceptable practice in many parts of India. Despite this, local officials repeatedly rejected her OBC certificate application, which is required to apply for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the all-India medical entrance exam.
Speaking to local reporters, Hema Kashyap, a resident of Manzoor Garhi village under Atrauli tehsil, said she had applied for her OBC certificate online for the first time earlier this year.
“I submitted all the necessary documents, and my photo had me wearing a scarf to protect myself from the heat. My face was fully visible,” she said. “But the application was rejected without any proper explanation.”
When she applied again, she was shocked to receive a message stating that her application was denied because her photo showed her with a headscarf. “The tehsil staff told me that a photo with a scarf is not acceptable. I didn’t understand why — it wasn’t covering my face.”
Determined to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor, Hema tried a third time — this time uploading a photo without any head covering. But even then, her application was rejected.
“This time, they had no excuse. I followed all their instructions, yet they didn’t give me my certificate,” she added in frustration.
While there is no written rule banning scarves in ID photos — as long as the face is visible — tehsil employees reportedly told Hema her scarf was the reason for the initial rejection.
“They kept saying a photo with the scarf isn’t valid. But covering one’s head is common in Indian society. It’s not a religious act in this case — I was protecting myself from the sun,” Hema said. “It feels like they simply didn’t want to help.”
Many believe that such a behaviour reflects not only a lack of sensitivity but also a disturbing pattern of rising cultural policing in government offices. Civil rights activists point out that arbitrary reasons are increasingly being used to target individuals based on appearance — especially when they are perceived as “different” or “non-conforming”.
Although Hema is not a Muslim, the rejection over a headscarf is being seen by some as part of a wider environment of bias, where clothing often becomes a marker of identity and is used to discriminate.
After facing multiple rejections and running out of time to register for the NEET exam, Hema finally decided to write to the District Magistrate of Aligarh, Sanjeev Ranjan, seeking justice and an investigation into the conduct of the tehsil staff.
District Magistrate Ranjan has confirmed that an inquiry has been launched. “I have taken the matter seriously and ordered an investigation. If there is any wrongdoing or negligence, strict action will be taken,” the DM said in a brief statement to the press.
This assurance came as a relief to Hema, who said: “I have lost a whole year of hard work because of this. I want action against those who played with my future.”
She has also appealed to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, asking for strict steps against the “negligence and discriminatory behaviour” shown by the staff.
Though the girl in question is Hindu, many locals and observers say that this case reflects a broader issue — one where government systems are increasingly acting with religious or cultural prejudice.
“This is a clear case of discrimination,” said social activist Irfan Ahmad. “Whether the student is Muslim or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that officials are now rejecting applications based on headscarves, which are common across all communities.”
He continued, “Today it is a Hindu girl. Tomorrow it could be anyone. This is what happens when a hate-filled mindset enters government offices.”
Another resident, Shabnam Parveen, agreed. “The scarf is a normal thing. Women across religions wear it — for sun, for modesty, for culture. Are we now going to deny people their rights over their clothes?”
Even teachers and educators are appalled. “She is a hardworking student who was preparing for NEET. Denying her the chance to apply because of a scarf shows how inhuman the system has become,” said Prof Rakesh Sharma, a retired school principal. “We need to ask ourselves — is this the kind of India we want?”
As the news spread, many across Aligarh and beyond began questioning the conduct of the tehsil officials and demanding accountability. Hema’s case, some say, highlights the urgent need for reforms in how such applications are handled.
“There needs to be a clear rulebook and basic human decency,” said Dr Nazma Ali, a youth counsellor in Aligarh. “Rejecting someone three times without a proper reason, and denying a child her future, is a crime in itself.”
The case has also triggered discussions online, where many are expressing concern that even non-Muslims are now being targeted simply for dressing modestly.
“In what kind of country are we living, where a girl’s scarf is seen as a threat?” one user posted on social media. “This is not just about Hema — it is about the kind of mindset being encouraged under this government.”
Several questions remain unanswered: Why was the third application — with a photo showing no scarf — rejected? Why did the officials not help a student meet the deadline for a national exam? Is there any official order banning scarves in ID photos for caste certificates?
So far, the tehsil officials have not issued any statement to clarify their actions. The silence, many say, is proof that this was not just a mistake — but deliberate harassment.
Hema, meanwhile, is trying to stay hopeful. “I will not give up,” she said. “I want to become a doctor and help others. But I also want justice. I don’t want another girl to go through this.”
For Hema Kashyap, the damage is already done. A year lost. A dream delayed. A young life hurt by a system that chose to discriminate rather than support. Her courage to speak up must be met with action.
The question is no longer just about a scarf — it is about fairness, accountability, and the state of governance in a country that calls itself democratic.
As Prof Sharma said: “If a tehsil clerk can deny you your rights based on a scarf, then we are heading towards a very dangerous place.”
