Karnataka’s Higher Education Minister, Dr MC Sudhakar, has criticised All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s statement on the hijab ban during recruitment exams as a political ploy to sidetrack people.
“I did not expect Owaisi to stoop down to this level to mislead innocent people for political mileage. I thought he was a mature politician, but here he is trying to take advantage of the ignorance of people. I feel sorry about the way he stooped down to this level of politics to try and gain brownie points in the Telangana elections,” Sudhakar told News18.
Sudhakar clarified that there is no ban on the hijab (Islamic head cover) for candidates appearing for recruitment exams to various boards and corporations. The examinations are to be held on November 18 and 19 across Karnataka.
The minister added that the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) had last month allowed hijab-wearing candidates to appear for the exams, and politicians should stay away from sensationalising issues for personal gains.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also joined Owaisi’s bandwagon to criticise the Congress government in Karnataka on the hijab issue. He asked Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to work on revoking the ban.
Coming down heavily on Abdullah and Owaisi, the Karnataka minister added: “The Congress does not need to learn about secularism from opportunistic politicians. Do not do it at the cost of Karnataka; the Congress will not stoop to Owaisi or Omar Abdullah’s level.”
The KEA order as part of the dress code to appear for recruitment exams of various boards and corporations to be held on November 18 and 19 across Karnataka specified that “any clothing or cap that covers head, mouth, or ears” will not be allowed inside the examination hall. This, KEA officials say, is a “regular” notification that is issued by NEET or other examinations and there was no restriction mentioned on hijab.
“We successfully conducted the examination last month with those who wanted to wear hijab coming an hour early for the frisking process. Given the issue that the hijab has created, if we wanted to bring in a ban on that, we would have specifically mentioned hijab. Even the dress code for the women’s section does not mention it. It is being done only to deviate the issue. There is no ban on the hijab for those appearing for recruitment exams,” Sudhakar reiterated.
An official from the KEA explained that the government order issued by the authority was to ensure that Bluetooth sets or other kinds of electronic devices are not used to cheat during the examinations by students.
In October, the KEA registered a number of cases of malpractices in the Yadgir and Kalaburagi districts where 30 accused, including students, were arrested for malpractices during the recruitment exams. The candidates were found using Bluetooth devices under the guise of hearing aids to cheat, and RD Patil, known to be the kingpin, was also arrested. The KEA examination scam is now being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department.
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