TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
Kozhikode: Although the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) cleared its stand over wearing veil and the Supreme Court of India refused to interfere with the CBSE circular, a nun was reportedly denied entry to the retest of the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) in Kerala on Saturday.
Sister Seba (Courtesy: www.madhyamam.com)
The incident was reported from the Jawahar Central School at Kanjirakulam in Thiruvananthapuram district. The authorities reportedly refused entry to Sister Seba, a nun who was wearing head scarf, generally worn by nuns.
Sister Seba came to a school to write the examination in her usual dress. “I was told I can’t sit for the exam in this dress,” Seba told local media persons.
“I told the officials that I can remove my veil and will put it on after they check my identity if they could let her sit in another room” she said. But the officials refused, she alleged, adding that she decided to return to her dwelling place, Syro Malankara Church in Thiruvananthapuram, following the defiance of authorities.
Meanwhile, Bovas Mathew, official spokesperson of the Syro Malabar Syro Church, termed the incident really unfortunate.
“It’s really unfortunate that the central government is not doing anything to address such woes of the believers,” the spokesperson said.
Saying it was mere violation of the constitution guarantees, granted to the citizens to hold on to their beliefs and customs the spokeperson urged for steps to resolve such issues. “The judiciary should not have gone to this extent.
Refusing to interfere with the issue, the apex court had said yesterday, “If you appear in an examination without a scarf, your faith will not disappear.”
The directive came three days after the Kerala High Court allowed two Muslim girls to wear headscarves and a full-sleeve dress for the July 25 test, on the condition that an invigilator can frisk them if required.
Meanwhile, the Girls Islamic Organisation (GIO) state committee also came down heavily against the incident seeking stringent action against the authorities for committing lapses in ensuring one student’s right to appear for examinations.
A press release, issued by the GIO Kerala general secretary Abida U pointed out that the authorities were doing injustice to the students by denying opportunities to the students, who came for examinations in scarves and veil.
The release added that GIO will launch strong agitation against the authorities if appropriate action is not taken.