Karnataka bans candidates from wearing head cover to recruitment exams
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Bengaluru (Karnataka): The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) banned candidates from wearing head cover to recruitment exams.
The directive is reportedly aimed at curbing malpractices in recruitments to various boards and corporations taking place on November 18 and 19.
The authorities have not nevertheless openly banned hijab, the new guidelines imply so in effect, according to NDTV.
The ban is part of authorities’ efforts to stop malpractices using Bluetooth devices.
In a significant development on November 6, authorities asked a woman appearing for Karnataka Public Service Commission examination to remove her 'mangalsutra' before entering the exam hall.
Hindutva groups raised protest against the incident, prompting KEA to allow women to wear mangalasutra and toe rings to exam halls.
However, they were restricted from wearing other ornaments to the hall.
Earlier in October when the Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar allowed candidates to wear Hijab during competitive exams, right-wing groups heavily protested.
The state government enforced the ban following complaints against some students having used Bluetooth in the exam hall.
The government ordered a probe by CID into the incident that had allegedly taken place at Kalaburagi and Yadgir examination centres in October, 2023.