NEET 2026 re-exam: Dispute over hijab screening sparks tension outside Ahmedabad exam center
A dispute over examination security controls in a national eligibility and access test (NEET) re-examination center in Ahmedabad briefly spilled outside the premises on Sunday, prompting protests from parents and police intervention.The incident took place at RJ Tibrewal Commerce College in Vastrapur, one of the 211 centers in Gujarat for the new NEET exam conducted after the controversy surrounding the exam earlier this year.
The dispute begins during the security check
According to officials and eyewitnesses, the situation started when a candidate wearing a hijab underwent a security check before entering the examination centre.The candidate’s mother objected after the piece was temporarily withdrawn during the vetting process. She argued that her daughter should be allowed to sit the exam while wearing the hijab.After discussions with examination officials, the college principal and police personnel, the student was allowed to enter the center in religious attire.
Parents raise objections
The decision provoked objections from some parents present at the venue.They questioned whether the exam rules were being applied uniformly and claimed that students wearing Hindu religious symbols such as sacred threads, necklaces and bracelets had to remove them during the screening.As the discussions intensified, groups of parents gathered outside the center and raised slogans demanding equal compliance with the exam guidelines.
The police restore order
The situation turned tense after members linked to Bajrang Dal and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) also arrived at the site. Before the police intervened, a small fight was reported.Deputy Commissioner of Police Jayesh Bhrambhatt said officials intervened to prevent the situation from escalating.“Members of different organizations had gathered at the center and the situation was brought under control after the intervention. Students were required to remove certain religious items during the checks as part of standard procedure,” he said. IANS.Police removed several people from the premises and carried out crowd control measures.Officials said the candidate was able to take the exam and the test continued normally inside the center despite the tension outside.NTA had put in place strict security arrangements for the NEET re-examination, including multi-layer registration and identity verification.Police later appealed to the public not to spread unverified claims on social media and said law and order remained under control throughout the examination process.(with input from the agency)
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