Ahmedabad: Tension briefly erupted outside a NEET re-examination centre in Ahmedabad on Sunday following a dispute over the enforcement of examination security and dress code rules, with parents, student groups and political workers clashing briefly before police intervened and restored order.
The incident took place at R.J. Tibrewal Commerce College in the Vastrapur area, one of the designated centres for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) re-examination, which was conducted across India following the controversy over a paper leak.
In Gujarat, the re-examination was held at 211 centres, with entry procedures conducted between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. before the exam began at 2 p.m., officials said.
Security arrangements were tightened across the state, with multi-layer frisking, identity verification and strict implementation of guidelines issued by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Officials said similar security measures were followed nationwide to ensure the integrity of the examination process.
The situation at the Ahmedabad centre intensified after a female candidate wearing a hijab was stopped during security screening. According to officials and eyewitnesses, the garment was temporarily removed during the checking process.
The candidate’s mother objected and insisted that her daughter should be allowed to appear for the examination while wearing the hijab. Following discussions involving the college principal, examination staff and police personnel, the candidate was permitted to enter the centre wearing the religious attire.
The decision led to objections from some parents at the venue, who alleged that examination rules were not being applied uniformly. They claimed that students wearing Hindu religious symbols such as sacred threads (kalava), necklaces (kanthi) and bracelets were asked to remove them during frisking, and questioned why exceptions were being allowed.
As the disagreement spread, the atmosphere outside the centre became tense, with parents staging protests and demanding uniform enforcement of rules.
Members associated with Bajrang Dal and individuals linked to AIMIM also gathered outside the premises. The situation briefly turned heated, with reports of a minor scuffle.
Police intervened to control the crowd and prevent further escalation. Senior officers, including Assistant Commissioner of Police (A Division) Jayesh Bhrambhatt, reached the spot and supervised the security arrangements.
According to police, several individuals were removed from the area for disrupting public order.
“Members from different organisations had gathered at the centre, and the situation was brought under control after intervention. Students were required to remove certain religious items during checks as part of standard procedure, and those objecting were counselled by officials,” ACP Jayesh Bhrambhatt told IANS.
He added that the candidate concerned was allowed to appear for the examination and that the situation had been stabilised.
Authorities confirmed that despite the brief tension outside the centre, the examination continued smoothly inside the venue without disruption.
Across Gujarat, NEET re-examination centres operated under heightened security following concerns raised earlier over examination integrity and malpractice.
Nationally, the NEET examination is conducted for more than 20 lakh candidates across hundreds of centres, with strict protocols regarding permitted items and frisking procedures to prevent unfair practices.
Police appealed to the public to maintain calm and avoid sharing unverified claims on social media, stating that law and order was maintained throughout the examination process at the Ahmedabad centre.
With IANS inputs