Ajmer (Rajasthan), June 22: A controversy emerged during the NEET-UG examination in Rajasthan after a candidate claimed she was denied entry to the examination centre unless she removed her burqa, prompting her to refuse to take the test.
The student, identified as Umme Kulsum (also reported as Kulsum Bano in local accounts), said she had travelled from Beawar in Ajmer district to appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG). According to her, officials at the examination centre initially asked her to remove her dupatta and later allegedly insisted that she remove her burqa before being allowed to enter.
Speaking to reporters outside the centre, the candidate argued that the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the examination, permits candidates to wear religious attire subject to security checks. She questioned why local authorities were imposing additional restrictions despite NTA guidelines allowing religious dress.
Kulsum stated that she had appeared for a previous examination wearing similar attire and had complied with the required security procedures. She expressed frustration over what she described as inconsistent implementation of rules and said students should not have to suffer because of concerns related to exam security or past irregularities.
The aspirant further alleged that the dispute resulted in a loss of valuable time and money spent travelling to the examination centre. Criticising the system, she said students’ futures should not be jeopardised by administrative confusion.
Maintaining her stand, Kulsum declared that she would take the examination only if permitted to wear her burqa. “For me, the exam does not matter more than my identity. My burqa and my identity matter more,” she said.
The National Testing Agency and the concerned examination centre had not issued an official statement on the matter at the time of filing this report.
