The demand ahead of the upcoming board exams raises concerns about security, cheating, and religious freedom
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — Nitesh Rane, a BJP MLA from Kankavali and Minister of Fisheries and Port Development in Maharashtra, has ignited a fresh controversy by calling for a ban on Muslim girls wearing burqas during the state’s upcoming Class 10th and 12th board exams. The demand has raised questions about the intersection of security concerns, religious freedoms, and education.
In a letter addressed to School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, Rane argued that allowing female students to wear burqas inside exam halls could lead to cheating and security issues. “Allowing female students to wear burqa inside the examination hall may lead to cheating in the exams and may also create security issues,” Rane stated in his letter. He further suggested that female police officers or employees be appointed to conduct checks on students.
Rane, who is known for his controversial statements against the Muslim community, voiced concerns over potential law and order issues. He said, “In case of any untoward incident, social and law and order problems may arise, which may affect the students. These examinations are important for the future of the students, and they should be conducted transparently, free from any malpractice like cheating.”
The Maharashtra Secondary School Certificate Examination for Class 10 will begin on February 21, while the Higher Secondary Certificate Examination for Class 12 is scheduled to commence on February 11. Officials from the Ministry of School Education have not yet responded to Rane’s demand.
Rane’s remarks have drawn comparisons to the 2021 controversy in Karnataka, where a group of Muslim girls was denied entry to classrooms and exams for wearing the hijab. The Karnataka High Court and later the Supreme Court ruled that wearing the hijab was not an essential part of Islamic practice, sparking debates on religious freedom and education.
The timing of Rane’s statement, just weeks before the board exams, has further stoked tensions in the already charged atmosphere surrounding religious attire in educational institutions. Critics of Rane’s demand have expressed concerns that this move could exacerbate communal divisions and marginalise Muslim students during a crucial period of their academic journey.
While security and exam integrity are important, the call for a burqa ban raises important questions about the balance between maintaining transparency in exams and respecting students’ religious freedoms. As the debate unfolds, the response from the Maharashtra government will be closely watched by both educational authorities and religious communities alike.