West Bengal Hijab Row: Students clash over saffron scarves & hijabs; Exams cancelled

Amid the ruckus, students also vandalised the school property. The situation prompted the school authorities to cancel the examinations of Class 11 and 12.

West Bengal Hijab Row: West Bengal's Howrah school canceled exams amid a clash between two groups of students over the wearing of hijab and namabali. The chaos happened at a school in Howrah's Dhulagarh after members of one group came to school wearing 'namabalis' or saffron scarves to protest against the other group who were allowed to wear hijab inside a classroom. Amid the ruckus, students also vandalised the school property. The situation prompted the school authorities to cancel the examinations of Class 11 and 12.

Police personnel and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were immediately called at the spot when the situation went out of control. The management committee of the school chaired a meeting after the incident and it was decided that students will now have to come to school in their school uniforms.

Academics being hampered

According to the India Today report, the ruckus erupted when several students objected to wearing of Hijabs during exams stating that it is not a part of the uniform. A few even protested wearing namabali. "Muslim girls wore hijab and some Hindu girls asked them to wear normal uniforms, following which a scuffle started. It is hampering our studies. We had our exams," said a Class 11 student.

Meanwhile, the school authorities said, "On Monday, three students wore a namabali to school and a few female students objected to it. The boys had removed it. We had decided that we would tell the students that no religious would be allowed after the exam. On Tuesday, five boys wore namabali and a ruckus stirred up among students. No property of the school was vandalised by any students."

Political blame game

TMC MLA held BJP responsible behind the ruckus. He further supported the wearing of hijabs to schools stating that the rules of the Constitution are not broken when a Sikh man wears a turban instead of a helmet. It is permitted by law and if a girl wears a hijab, then she should not be opposed. And to oppose this, if anyone comes with 'namabali', then there should not be any opposition.

He further said that BJP is politicising matters like the wearing of hijab or namabali in West Bengal.

Agnimitra Paul, General Secretary of West Bengal BJP, said, "Every educational institution should follow uniformity regarding the dress code of students. It is according to the court order."

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