Students appear for AIPMT exam amid tight security

JAIPUR/AJMER: Following the Supreme Court order, several girls from Kashmir appeared without headgear in All India Pre-Medical/ Pre-Dental Entrance Test (AIPMT) exam at various centers in Rajasthan. They viewed that in the larger interest they had to shun their hijabs. They suggested hardliners to let them decide on what dress code they want to follow.
Aiysha Jabin (name changed), a student from Sopore, who prepared for AIPMT exam in Kota without her headgear.She said, "The law of the land is same for all. I practice hijab from the past three years and kept it aside today while appearing in the exam as it is required for smooth conduction of this exam."
She argued that while shunning her hijab she has not compromised with her modesty. Jabin's friend from Srinagar, Maherook Bhatt, echoes her friend's views. She said, "The CBSE's intention was not to deprive us from following our religious duty. They just intended to ensure that paper should be conducted without any cheating case." Bhatt also objected the way some hardliner groups have challenged the CBSE rule in the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, high alert was sounded and heavy police was deployed on all exam centres, across the state. Reportedly few students missed the exam as they arrived late.
The strictness has led to harassment of some students. Pragya Maheshwari, a student who appeared in the exam at Central Academy School in Ajmer accused the invigilators of repeatedly frisking her. "I wear spectacles and have to look deep down to read and write. The examiners mistook it for cheating and checked my hands, table, pen etc. They also put their fingers in my head to check my head suspecting me of carrying something.
This entire exercise has disturbed my focus and affected my performance," said Maheshwari.
Since morning, CBSE officials were on alert checking examination centers. The exam which was declared cancelled by the Supreme Court had caused severe embarrassment to the CBSE.
Four metal detectors were used at every center. and strict checking was made of every student entering in the examination hall,
"We have also videographed the examination in every center and found smooth running of examination today," said an official. Even rubber and pen were supplied by the CBSE and students were not allowed to carry anything in the hall. The control room here in regional office was monitoring the examination in the region consisting of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and reports were sent to the HQ in New Delhi.