A controversy has erupted at Jadavpur University in West Bengal after a third-year student from the English Department filed a formal complaint alleging she was subjected to a discriminatory 'hijab check' during a semester examination. The incident, which occurred on December 23, has prompted widespread condemnation and calls for an investigation from student bodies.
Student Alleges Humiliating Examination Experience
According to the complaint submitted on the day of the exam, the student was interrupted mid-examination by an invigilator who asked her to partially remove her hijab. The stated reason was to check if she was concealing headphones, a method used for cheating. The student further alleged that the invigilator asked her several personal and irrelevant questions about her choice to wear the hijab, including whether she wore it during summer.
Following this, she was taken to a separate room for examination in the presence of the Head of the Department and a woman research scholar. No electronic devices were found on her person. Attempts to reach the complainant for further comment were unsuccessful.
University Leadership Responds, Committee Likely
Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee addressed the issue on Saturday, describing the event as "extremely unfortunate." He confirmed receiving the complaint and stated that the university would look into the matter. With the university closed for the holidays, Bhattacharjee indicated that a fact-finding committee would likely be set up after December 29 to ascertain the exact sequence of events.
In a related context, a university official revealed that at least four students had been caught cheating using headphones in the ongoing semester exams, clarifying that none belonged to a minority community. On the same day as the alleged hijab check incident, another student wearing a hoodie was reportedly caught cheating.
Political and Student Bodies Demand Action
The incident has sparked immediate reactions from campus political groups. The Jadavpur Trinamool Chhatra Parishad submitted a letter to the Vice-Chancellor demanding a thorough investigation. Their letter emphasized that targeting a student's religious attire constitutes a violation of constitutional rights to practice religion.
Meanwhile, students from the English Department wrote to the V-C, alleging the student was "singled out and accused of cheating because she was wearing a hijab." They stated she was asked to unpin her hijab in the exam hall in front of other students.
University officials, defending the invigilation process, stated that only students acting suspiciously were checked. They noted that another student wearing a hijab, including one with a physical disability, was not subjected to any check during the exams.
