BeyondHeadlines News Desk

New Delhi: Recently Umaiyah Khan, a student of Jamia Millia Islamia was not allowed to participate in UGC-Net exam for wearing hijab (scarf). Another Muslim woman of Goa was also not allowed to examination hall on the same ground. Taking suo motu cognisance of the Delhi incident, Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) has issued a notice to Secretary, University Grants Commission saying that “it is a clear case of discrimination against a religious minority and an attempt to keep it away from the national mainstream. This practice has no legal or constitutional basis. Kerala High Court has clearly allowed Muslim women to appear in exams and tests while in Hijab (wearing a scarf and full sleeves)”.

DMC has also issued clear orders to respect the religious rights of Muslim and Sikh women. DMC has asked the Secretary, UGC, to reply (1) why this discrimination is allowed, (2) on what basis and (3) how you propose to undo the injustice done to the Muslim women prevented from appearing in the NET\JRF exam while in hijab, (4) what steps you are taking to prevent the repetition of this injustice in future. Copies of both the Kerala High Court and DMC’s general order regarding dress have been sent along with the DMC notice.