Muslim students forced to remove Hijab at Mumbai exam centre
Mumbai: Several Muslim students were forced to remove their hijabs before entering the examination hall during the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations in BJP-led Maharashtra state of India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident occurred on the first day of the SSC exams at Jaffrey English High School in the Jaffrey Nagar area of Mumbai. The incident has stirred outrage among students and their families, who stated that the measures caused unnecessary mental stress and discomfort.
Eyewitnesses stated that female students wearing burqas were initially stopped at the school gate and asked to remove their hijabs. One SSC student recounted her experience to the media, stating, “At the gate of the school, we were first asked to remove our burqas. When we objected, we were allowed to enter wearing them. However, later, in a separate room, we were forced to remove our burqas and scarves before proceeding to the examination block. We were searched, and only then were we allowed to take the exam. After entering the block, we were also asked to remove our scarves from our ears. It was humiliating and stressful.”
The incident has ignited a debate over the balance between security protocols and respect for religious and cultural practices. Students and their families stated that the process was handled insensitively, causing undue stress during a critical examination.
Community leaders have called for a review of the school’s procedures to ensure that such incidents do not recur. As one parent remarked, “Security is important, but it should not come at the cost of students’ dignity and mental well-being. There must be a better way to handle this.”
