By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi : The Central Board of School Education (CBSE) on Thursday, July 9 issued a controversial Instruction Notification mentioning dress code for the All India Pre-Medical / Pre-Dental Entrance Test (AIPMT) scheduled to be held on July 25.
The notification issued by Central Board of School Education (CBSE) bans Tabeez, Caps and Scarfs inside the examination centres of AIPMT. The notification further asks students to follow a particular dress code which includes wearing light colour clothes with half Sleeves shirt/T shirt / Kurta. It further directs students to wear slippers and not shoes.
The said notification vide CBSE/AIPMT/RE/3282 issued by CBSE mentioning instructions for students appearing in the entrance on July 9th includes two controversial sentences viz 6(c) and 7 (a).
“The 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 notification further reads, “Students should wear clothes with half sleeves, Shirt/T shirt/Kurta not having big buttons, brooch or any badge, flower and trousers/salwar etc” reads the notification in 7 (a)
As Scarf and Full Sleeve Kurta is traditionally followed by Muslim Girls as part of their religious obligation, the dress code has sent shock waves among Muslim female candidates who are going to appear in AIPMT exam which is scheduled for July 25th.
Aiyman, 19 from Srinagar who is going to appear in AIPMT expressed her dismay over the notification. “Wearing Scarf is part of our Culture and Religion. Even the notification goes to extent asking us to wear half sleeves Kurta which is very disgusting,” says Aiyman who is busy preparing for the re-test to be held after the Apex Court directives and is attending coaching classes at the famous Rise Institute, Srinagar
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary, AIPMT office terms the notification as general guidelines for the entrance and totally discards it being against any particular religion. While the Deputy Secretary was not immediately available for the comment, the staff from his office did not directly respond to our queries.
“The notification issued is general guidelines for students appearing in AIPMT entrance exam which every student has to adhere,” an official from Technical Wing told TwoCircles.net
TCN repeated attempts to reach out to the Chairperson of CBSE, Satbir Bedi turned futile as she did not received the calls.
It is still not clear whether the Scarf mentioned in AIPMT notification is meant for Hijab.