India: Muslim Woman Asked to Remove Hijab during Exam
Shabana, who is also an Arabic teacher, had registered for a Hindi exam at Annamalai Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Somasipadi village. She entered the exam hall wearing her hijab, as she usually does, but soon she was confronted by the school's correspondent, Revathi, who told her to take it off, The Statesman reported.
Revathi claimed that she was following the instructions of the Hindi Prachar Sabha, the organization that conducts the exam. Shabana refused to comply, saying that her hijab was part of her religious identity and personal choice. She argued that there was no rule that prohibited wearing hijabs during exams.
The situation escalated into a heated argument, and the school authorities called the police to intervene. Shabana's family members, who were waiting outside the exam hall, also joined the dispute. They were supported by several Muslim organizations, such as the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), who condemned the school's action as a violation of religious freedom and human rights.
The police tried to calm down both sides and find a solution, but Shabana decided to walk out of the exam hall without finishing her test.
Shabana's ordeal reflects the challenges and limitations that many hijabi Muslim women face in India, where they are often subjected to discrimination, harassment, and violence because of their choice of clothing.
Source: Agencies
