Mumbai: A delegation from the Girls Islamic Organisation (GIO) Maharashtra South Zone met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar at the Sahyadri State Guest House, Malabar Hill, Mumbai, to raise concerns over restrictions on head coverings in the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (MAHA TET).
The delegation, which included Dr. Nimra Ansari and Dr. Afiya Khan, was also received by MLA Sana Malik. The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Shakir Shaikh of APCR.
The GIO delegation pointed out that a circular issued ahead of the postponed MAHA TET examination barred candidates from wearing head coverings inside examination centres. The organisation urged the government to follow the verification protocol used in national-level examinations such as NEET and JEE. Under that protocol, candidates wearing religious attire are permitted entry after additional frisking and identity verification, provided they report early to the examination centre.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawar assured the delegation that the matter would be placed before the State Cabinet through the Minister for School Education and Sports for appropriate consideration.
Prior to approaching the Deputy Chief Minister, GIO Maharashtra South Zone had already raised the issue with the Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE), seeking reconsideration of the restrictions. With concerns remaining unresolved at that level, the organisation escalated the matter to the State Government.
GIO Maharashtra South Zone expressed hope that the government would adopt a fair and inclusive solution that upholds both the integrity of the examination process and the constitutional rights of candidates.
The issue touches on the rights of Muslim women candidates who wear the hijab or other head coverings as part of their religious practice. By seeking alignment with the NEET and JEE model, GIO argues that security and religious freedom are not mutually exclusive, and that a workable verification process already exists at the national level.
