Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh: A controversy erupted at the Sarvodaya Inter College examination center in Jaunpur during the UP Board High School exams when four Muslim girl students refused to remove their hijabs and were denied entry into the examination hall.
The incident took place on Monday during the first shift of the Class 10 Hindi exam. According to reports, several Muslim girls appeared at the exam center wearing hijabs. While some agreed to remove their hijabs and entered the hall, four girls refused and chose to return home instead of compromising on their religious attire.
One of the students, identified as Umm-e-Khawla, shared her experience in a video, stating, “When we entered the center, we were told in a very rude manner to remove our hijabs. We refused, and they told us we couldn’t take the exam. Even though we were willing to show our faces for identification, they insisted we must remove our hijabs and dupattas completely.”
The girls’ parents expressed anger over the situation, with one of the fathers, Ahmadullah, stating, “We suggested that a female teacher check the girls’ identity, but the officials refused. If they are allowed to take the exam in hijabs, we will send them back — otherwise, we won’t.”
The students who missed their exam include Zainab, Fatima, Maryam, Naima, Umm-e-Khawla, Rushda, Zubia, Humaira Siddiqui, and Kashifa.
The incident has sparked outrage among the families, who claim the girls were willing to reveal their faces for verification but were still pressured to remove their hijabs and dupattas. Many have questioned whether asking for a full removal of religious clothing was necessary, especially when a proper checking process with female invigilators could have been arranged.
This is not the first time a hijab-related controversy has surfaced during exams. The matter raises serious concerns about whether such incidents unfairly jeopardize students’ academic futures.
The affected families and several community members are now demanding clarity on the rules regarding religious attire in examination centers.
