Medicos with Hijab denied from appearing in exam, MUHS suspends observer

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) has removed an observer from entire winter exam duty following the protest by parents and BHMS students against the certain dress code considering which he had stopped the examinees from entering the examination hall at Government Ayurved College while wearing hijab.

While condemning the Ayurveda college's administration, the students accused the observer of offensive behaviour and alleged that one student was even pulled out of her hijab.

The incident reportedly took place on November 26th when a group of 8-10 second year BHMS students from Antarbharti Homoeopathic Medical College, Dhaba arrived at Government Ayurved College for appearing in exams. However, chaos erupted right before the examination when the college administration refused to enter them in the examination hall with hijab.

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According to the students, the college administration ordered to remove their hijab if they wanted to appear for the exam or leave. As there was no female invigilator on the spot, a male invigilator inspected them violating several rules, the students alleged.

It has been alleged that even after requesting the management to allow them to cover their head with a scarf, they forced the students to strip the hijab to enter the examination hall. One female student was even pulled out of her hijab by one of the invigilators, the BHMS students further alleged adding that the invigilators also ordered them to remove their dupatta.

After they were denied entry, the female students were able to appear for the exams.

However, offended by the said incident, the students and their parents observed a protest backed by Girls Students Islamic Organization and Students Islamic Organization of India, demanding action against the observer and r-examination citing that due to the incident, the examinees were in shock and could not perform well.

Speaking to TOI about the alleged incident, the Ayurveda College Dean Dr Patrikar informed that the observer belongs to other college and had been deputed by MUHS for the exam duty. "The protesters complained that the observer behaved rudely with them. The observer told us he was only following NEET dress code for examinees," he added.

Dr Patrikar further wrote to the MUHS notifying about the same after which the university removed the observer from all exam works.

"University appoints Examination Officer (EO) for the fair examination and issue advisory for every institution. There is provision of routine checking which was conducted by the EO. However, no students were forced to strip hijab. Though, there were not enough female invigilators at the spot and which lead to this chaos," asserted Dr Patrikar to Nagpur Today and mentioned that, "We have apologized to the parents and such incident will not be repeated."

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