CBSE Dress Code Draws Ire

The recent set of instructions by CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) to students appearing for the All-India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) on July 25 as to prevent cheating has sent wrong messages to a section of students from a particular community. Muslim girl students fear that they will have to miss the examination if the instructions are to be enforced on the examination day as they will have to shed their Burkha and headscarf which is against their religion. Around 6.3 lakh students are registered to appear for the All-India Pre-Medical Test - retest on July 25. The examination is going to be held after the cancellation of last examination conducted on 3rd May due to the mass scale of cheating through hi-tech gadgets. As per instructions candidates will not bring items like wallet, goggles, handbags, hairpin, hairband, Charm/Tabeez, belts, caps, scarf etc,” reads the notification in section 6(c). The CBSE notification further added in section 7(a) “Students should wear clothes with half sleeves, Shirt/T-shirt/Kurta not having big buttons, brooch or any badge, flower and trousers/salwar etc.” However, the source from CBSE clears that their instructions have nothing to do with the religious robes of students especially the girls’ students wear. While Masoom Moradabadi, the general secretary of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat in an interview to a section of media said, “This amounts to a violation of religious freedom and, therefore, fundamental rights. Scores of Muslim girls may opt out. We appeal the CBSE to reconsider the matter. ”