Archive · 30 Dec 2025
Jadavpur University Probes Hijab Controversy During Exams
A student at Jadavpur University said that during an exam, a teacher asked her to take off part of her hijab.
The teacher wanted to check if she was wearing headphones.
The student said the teacher also asked her some personal questions about her hijab.
The university has set up a group of three people to look into what happened.
They have to report back in 30 days.
Some students and groups are upset and want the university to investigate properly.
They say everyone should be treated equally and fairly, no matter what they wear or believe in.
The teachers say they were just doing their job to stop cheating and that the student was asked to cooperate.
They also said that other students, not from minority communities, were caught cheating too.
A third-year English student at Jadavpur University alleged that an invigilator asked her to partially remove her hijab during an exam on December 23.
The student claimed the invigilator asked her irrelevant questions about her hijab and checked her in a separate room, but no electronic devices were found.
Jadavpur University has formed a three-member fact-finding committee to investigate the incident, with a report due in 30 days.
Students and the Jadavpur University Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad have demanded a thorough investigation, citing constitutional rights to religious expression.
At least four students were caught cheating during the semester examinations this year, none of whom belonged to the minority community.
- Who
- A third-year English student at Jadavpur University
- What
- Alleged that an invigilator asked her to partially remove her hijab during an exam
- When
- December 23
- Where
- Jadavpur University, West Bengal
- Why
- To check if she was wearing headphones
Students and SFI Unit
Faculty Members
Nature of the Incident
Students and SFI Unit
Alleged that the invigilator's actions were Islamophobic and hurt the student's sentiments.
Faculty Members
Denied allegations of Islamophobia, stating that the actions were part of tightened vigilance due to cheating incidents.
Student's Cooperation
Students and SFI Unit
Claimed the student was asked to partially remove her hijab in a manner that was disrespectful.
Faculty Members
Stated that the student was asked to cooperate and was taken to an adjacent room for re-checking.
Incidents of Cheating
Students and SFI Unit
Demanded a thorough investigation, citing constitutional rights to religious expression.
Faculty Members
Mentioned that at least four students were caught using headphones, none of whom belonged to the minority community.
- University
- Jadavpur University
- Committee Formation
- 3-member fact-finding committee
- Incident Date
- December 23
- Student's Year
- Third-year English
- Committee Report Deadline
- 30 days
- Alleged Action
- Asked to partially remove hijab
- Reason Given
- Check for headphones
- Other Students Caught Cheating
- 4 students
Sources
Student ‘asked to partially remove hijab’ before exam: Jadavpur University forms 3-member fact-finding committee
JU forms 3-member committee to probe hijab row, asks panel to submit report in 30 days
Bengal varsity forms panel to probe hijab incident during exam
