The Hijab Controversy of Gujarat Education Department Against School

The Gujarat Education Department has taken decisive action against a private school official following allegations of religious discrimination. 

Parents of students at Lions School in Ankleshwar, Bharuch district, raised complaints that the school’s administrator, Ilaben Suratiya, also serving as the principal, had compelled some female students to remove their hijabs before taking an examination on Wednesday.

Allegations of Religious Discrimination:

Parents expressed outrage over the incident, claiming that their daughters were subjected to harassment by being asked to remove their hijabs before the examination. This action, they argued, violated their religious rights and caused distress to the affected students.

Swift Administrative Response on Hijab Controversy:

In response to the allegations, the State Education Department swiftly intervened, ordering Ms. Suratiya’s removal from her position as the exam center administrator. 

District Education Officer Swati Raol initiated the action after meeting with the concerned parents and reviewing the evidence presented.

Clarification from Education Authorities:

The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) clarified that there are no specific regulations regarding attire for examination candidates, emphasizing that students may appear in any “decent” clothing. Exam Director M.K. Raval reiterated this stance, affirming that the primary concern is to ensure the students’ identities are verified before the exam.

Explanations and Investigations:

Ms. Suratiya defended her actions by citing the necessity for clear facial identification of students during exam recordings, which led to the request for hijab removal. 

However, this explanation did not appease the parents, who demanded accountability for what they perceived as religious discrimination.

Commitment to Fairness and Inquiry over the Hijab Controversy:

Mr. Raol affirmed initiating an inquiry into the incident, acknowledging the validity of the parents’ complaints. He reiterated that the education board has not issued specific guidelines regarding attire during exams, emphasizing the need for fairness and respect for students’ rights.

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