According to a university official, at least four students were caught cheating during the semester examinations this year using headphones, and none of them belonged to the minority community. (File Photo)
Jadavpur University has constituted a three-member fact-finding committee to look into the hijab-related controversy that surfaced during the ongoing semester examinations. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 30 days
The premier West Bengal university found itself at the centre of controversy after a student alleged that she was asked to partially remove her hijab by an invigilator during an examination. The incident allegedly occurred on December 23.
In the third-year English student’s complaint to the university, it is alleged that during the mid-semester examinations, the invigilator asked her to partially remove her hijab to check if she was wearing headphones. She further alleged that the invigilator asked her several irrelevant questions, including whether she wore the hijab at all times, even during the summer season, and whether it was her own choice.
According to a statement issued by the acting Registrar on Monday, “Under the direction of the Vice-Chancellor, a fact-finding committee has been constituted with the following members: Prof. Syed Tanveer Nasreen, Department of History, Burdwan University (Chairman); Prof. Subarna Kumar Das, Department of Library & Information Science and Liaison Officer, SC & ST Cell, Jadavpur University; and Padmasree Kazi Masum Akhtar, Chancellor’s Nominee, Executive Council, Jadavpur University.”
According to the complaint, the student was allegedly checked in a separate room in the presence of the Head of the Department and a female research scholar, but no electronic devices were recovered.
In a letter to Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, students of the English department alleged that during the examination, one student was “singled out and accused of cheating because she was wearing a hijab,” and that she was asked to unpin her hijab in the examination room “amidst the presence of other students”.
According to a university official, at least four students were caught cheating during the semester examinations this year using headphones, and none of them belonged to the minority community. On the day of the alleged incident, another student wearing a hoodie was caught cheating by research scholars on invigilation duty.
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“Invigilators checked only those whom they found suspicious. There was another student wearing a hijab, but she was not checked. A physically disabled student wearing a hijab was also taking the exam at the library, but she was also not checked,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the Jadavpur University Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad submitted a letter to the Vice-Chancellor demanding an investigation into the matter. The letter stated, “The Constitution of India provides every citizen the right to practice, profess and propagate any religion of their choice. Expression of any sort of disrespect or intentional humiliation towards the clothing choices of any student belonging to any religious community is a grave violation of basic constitutional rights. Bengal continues to resist communal inclinations in social, political and academic spaces, ensuring equality and brotherhood.”
It added, “We strongly demand before the university authority to ensure immediate investigation of the entire incident and ensure that the victim’s individual respect is not violated in the process. Jadavpur University Trinamool Chhatra Parishad extends complete solidarity to the student and will fight to ensure that a secular academic environment is not violated by any stakeholder.”
Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage.
Experience
Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness.
Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances.
Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial, often sensitive, beats, including:
State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies.
Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues.
Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE).
Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll.
Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read More
