Hijab banned in pre-medical test in India

The Indian Supreme Court on Friday refused to allow aspirants appearing for All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) to wear a "hijab", saying that "your faith won't disappear" if it was not worn on a particular day.

The directive came three days after the High Court in the southern state of Kerala allowed two Muslim girls to wear a headscarf and a full-sleeve dress for the July 25 test on the condition that a lady invigilator can frisk them if required.

On Friday, an apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu, told the counsel for the petitioner, the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) of India, that "on a day when you have to sit for an exam, you are being asked not to wear it. Your faith won't disappear if you appear for the exam without a scarf."

The bench added that it was a "small issue" and the top court does not need to interfere in such matters.

"This court asked CBSE to re-conduct the exam. One petition is filed saying I should be allowed to wear a cap. Another petition is filed that I should be allowed to wear a kurta since it is my religious practice. Merely because you are wearing something different, should we be allowing such a prayer?" it added.

The Supreme Court had scrapped the May 3 AIPMT and rescheduled the test amid reports that the question paper was leaked and electronic equipment was used to cheat.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) then issued a notification which said "the candidates will not bring… items like belts, cap, scarf, etc" to the exam hall. It was this notification that the SIO, along with some candidates, challenged in the top court.