After concerns raised by Minister Nitish Rane, State Education Minister Dada Bhasse assures Muslim students no ban on burqas during exams.
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The State Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams, which began on Tuesday in Maharashtra, were clouded by a controversial statement from State Minister Nitish Rane. Rane’s objection to Muslim students wearing burqas during exams stirred significant tension, within the community.
Rane’s remarks claimed that the burqa was often misused for cheating and suggested that students wearing it should be prohibited from entering examination halls. His comments brought back painful memories of the Karnataka hijab controversy, where many Muslim girls’ educational careers had been disrupted by similar issues.
Rane, known for his controversial statements, took to writing a letter on January 29 to State Education Minister Dada Bhasse, voicing his concerns about the potential misuse of burqas in exam centres. He specifically argued that the burqa could be used to conceal cheating materials and called for a ban on its use during the exams. This sparked widespread anxiety among Muslim students, who feared being subjected to discrimination, mirroring the experiences of their counterparts in Karnataka, where a hijab ban had led to protests and educational setbacks for many Muslim girls.
The comments were met with immediate concern from various sections of the community, who worried that this new development could disrupt the education of Muslim students in Maharashtra. For many, Rane’s objection seemed reminiscent of broader societal attempts to control and restrict the attire of Muslim women, something that many felt was an unjust infringement on personal and religious freedoms. The situation raised alarm bells, with many fearing that it would spark another divisive controversy, just as the hijab issue had done in Karnataka.
However, despite the uproar caused by Rane’s statement, State Education Minister Dada Bhasse, who hails from Malegaon, immediately responded to the issue and sought to calm tensions. In a bid to assure Muslim students and their families, Bhasse made it clear that there would be no such ban on wearing burqas during exams. “The government has no intention of banning the burqa,” Bhasse said emphatically, “The only objective is to prevent cheating and ensure that only deserving students pass the exams.” His assurance was aimed at putting an end to the growing anxiety in the Muslim community and reaffirming the state government’s commitment to equality and non-discrimination.
In light of Bhasse’s statement, Muslim students across the state expressed relief as they went into the exam halls. The education minister’s comments reassured students that they would not be singled out based on their religious attire. Muslim students, many of whom were deeply concerned about potential discrimination, were now able to sit for their exams without the fear of being harassed or excluded. “Since there’s no restriction for us, we are giving our exams without any worries,” one student said, expressing the collective relief felt by many in the community.
At multiple exam centres, including those in Mumbai, there were no reports of students being prevented from taking the exam due to their attire. Sajid Nisar, General Secretary of the Urdu Shikshak Singh, confirmed that, at least at the Mumbai level, Muslim students faced no such barriers. “At the Mumbai level, we can say that our students did not face any problem,” Nisar stated. “At the Maharashtra level, there was concern regarding this issue, but no such case has come to light.” His words echoed the widespread sense of relief felt by students, particularly in the wake of Rane’s controversial statements.
This reassurance from the state government was vital for the students, as it allowed them to focus on their academic work rather than the external distractions caused by the controversy. Many students voiced that they felt safe and supported, with their attention solely on performing well in their exams. A student from Mumbai said, “We are not worried about anything. The government has cleared the air, and now we can focus on what really matters—our studies and our exams.”
While the controversy surrounding the burqa seemed to be resolved for now, another incident highlighted the challenges students still face on exam day. At an examination centre in Govindi, two female students were seen stranded as they struggled to find a rickshaw to take them to their examination centre in Chambor. It was around 10:20 AM when they were unable to find a driver willing to take them. One of the students was a regular examinee, and the situation seemed to cause them considerable distress.
A local journalist who witnessed the incident shared how they intervened to assist the students. “We spoke to several rickshaw pullers, but none agreed to help. Afterward, we approached a nearby traffic police officer who immediately took action. He stopped a rickshaw, spoke to the driver, and ensured the girls were safely taken to their exam center,” the journalist said.
Though this incident caused a slight delay, it also highlighted the importance of solidarity and community support. It demonstrated how local citizens, including journalists and police officers, were quick to step in when needed, ensuring that students could reach their destinations without further hindrance.
The exam day, despite the initial controversy, concluded smoothly for many Muslim students, who were able to take their exams without fear of discrimination. The events surrounding the burqa ban controversy have sparked a conversation about the delicate balance between academic integrity and personal rights. While the government has made it clear that its primary focus is to ensure fairness and prevent cheating, the issue of attire remains a sensitive topic for many.
For now, the assurances provided by Education Minister Dada Bhasse have seemingly quelled the concerns of Muslim students, allowing them to proceed with their education without unnecessary barriers. However, it is clear that the debate over religious dress codes, particularly for Muslim women, will continue to be a topic of discussion in Maharashtra and across India.
As the HSC exams continue, students and educators alike are hoping for a peaceful and fair examination process, free from external controversies. The focus, as always, should remain on ensuring that students, regardless of their background or beliefs, can access education without fear or discrimination.
