No 2nd PUC re-exam for hijab protestors, says Karnataka govt: Report

NEW DELHI: The Karnataka government has decided not to conduct re-exam for 2nd PUC or Class 12 students who protested against hijab ban and missed their practical exams, as per a Times of India report.

The state government was considering an option to give students who were absent during their practical board exams 2022, a second chance to appear for exams. However, the government decided against it and now these students will be marked absent, the report said.

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“How can we even consider the possibility? If we allow students who boycotted the practicals for not being allowed to wear hijab to the exam even after the high court gave its interim order, then another student will come citing some other reason and seek a second chance,” state primary and secondary education minister B C Nagesh was quoted as saying.

Practical exams carry a weightage of 30 marks out of total 100 marks in board exams in Karnataka. Now, these students have the only option to appear for theory exams carrying 70 marks to pass.

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During the month of February, several Muslim girl students protested against hijab ban in educational institutions and boycotted practical exams. Students refused to write their exams when the schools asked them to remove their hijab to get entry into the premises.

Several Muslim girl students were also suspended following their protest against high court’s interim order restraining students from wearing saffron shawls, scarves, hijab and any religious flag in the classroom.

In its final order, the Karnataka High Court upheld hijab ban and dismissed all writ petitions filed by muslim girl students seeking to wear hijab in colleges and challenging the February 5 order of government. The three-judge bench led by CJI Ritu Raj Awasthi observed, “Wearing of Hijab is not essential religious practice of Islamic Faith.”