Witnessing several complaints from the members of the minority community, the Delhi Minorities Commission (DMC) has asked the Delhi Government departments to allow minorities to wear dresses and carry articles as per their religious beliefs when appearing in recruitment and academic tests.
Following the commission’s order, the General Administration Department (GAD) has recently issued a circular to all principal secretaries and heads of department to take “appropriate action” on the dress code for minority students and candidates appearing in examinations.
The Commission has directed all the government departments and educational institutions to “meticulously observe” its dress code order. If anyone fails to do, the commission will take serious legal action against them.
“The order was issued after receiving a series of complaints from members of minority communities that they faced difficulties when appearing in such examinations and were forced to take off their articles of faith,” said a senior official of DMC.
“Muslim women cannot be denied their religious right to wear Hijab (headscarf). They must also be allowed to wear full-sleeve shirts. The Sikhs are allowed to carry Kirpan (dagger) of reasonable length as per Indian Constitution’s Article 25,” stated the order.
A notice was also issued by the commission to the University Grants Commission (UGC) taking up the issue of a Jamia Millia Islamia student being allegedly not allowed to appear in the UGC-NET examination for wearing Hijab (headscarf).
The order noted that while the security precautions are very much required during examinations, it should not harm the interests of the minority’s students and candidates.
“Where certain security arrangements and frisking are required, candidates must be clearly informed in advance that they have to present themselves at the frisking point, say half an hour.
The frisking staff is fully within its rights to check Hijab of Muslim women and allow them in after making sure security requirements have been met,” said the order further.
