Karnataka Hijab Row: State Government Says No Re-Exam For Protesting Students Who Boycotted It

Ever since the Karnataka High Court’s verdict upheld the hijab ban in educational institutes across the state, the protests have intensified. In a recent update, the state government has ruled that the hijab row protesting students of class 12, who were absent for the practical examination conducted by the educational institutes as a part of the board exams will not be given a second chance to appear for the practical examination. The primary and secondary education Minister BC Nagesh said that if the students are given a second chance and allowed to appear for a re-exam in spite of the fact that they boycotted the practicals even after the High Court issued an interim order, then there’s a possibility that another student will come citing another reason seeking a second chance.

Speaking to The Hindu, Minister BC Nagesh said that no re-test will be taken for the students who remained absent for the practical exam due to the hijab protest. He stated that the government will ‘not create a precedent’ by holding a re-examination for the absentees while adding that the students can appear for the supplementary exams just like all other students. “We are not going to make an exception,” the Minister told the news portal.

For the unversed, the Department of Pre-University Education (PUE) announced that no re-exam will be conducted for the hijab row protesters as they boycotted the PU II (class 12) Practical Exams that were being held in February and March as per the timetable. Earlier, the Karnataka state government was considering holding a re-test for those who missed the exam but following the High Court verdict, the government has decided to mark the protesting students absent. In the Pre-University exams, the practical exams carry 30 marks and the theory carries 70 marks. The students who did not appear for the practical exam will be marked absent meaning that they will lose the entire 30 marks but they will be allowed to appear for the 70 marks exam allowing them to save their academic year.

Also Read: Karnataka Hijab Row: Muslim Students Protest Against The HC Judgement, Boycott Classes And Examination

Following the Karnataka High Court’s interim order banning all religious clothing in educational institutes across the state, several Muslim students boycotted classes and skipped exams hoping for the High Court verdict to be in their favour. After the verdict upheld the hijab ban, the students demanded a re-exam. On the other hand, several students continue to boycott classes and exams across the state as the hijab row case has reached Supreme Court. The petitioners who filed a plea in the Karnataka High Court have now moved the Supreme Court challenging the order upholding the hijab ban in educational institutes. In a media conference held by the petitioners, they have announced that they will not return to their schools and colleges without the hijab.

Also Read: Karnataka Hijab Row: Women’s Groups Urge Supreme Court To Issue Stay On High Court Verdict

On the other hand, the three judges of the Karnataka High Court who issued the order upholding the hijab ban has been given ‘Y’ category security following death threats from Tamil Nadu. The Karnataka CM Bommai stated that a case has been registered in Tamil Nadu and the Bar Council of Karnataka High Court has also filed a case at the Vidhana Soudha police station adding that the complaint has been taken seriously and orders have been issued to bring the accused to the state and stringent legal action to be taken against them.

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