Muslim woman alleges hijab removal at Gujarat Railway exam centre
A young Muslim woman who travelled to Gujarat to appear for a railway recruitment examination has alleged that she was asked to remove her hijab in front of male staff before being allowed to enter the exam centre.
In the video, which has been widely shared online, the woman says she was stopped at the entry point and told by exam staff that she would not be permitted to sit for the examination unless she removed her hijab.
She alleges that the demand was made in the presence of male personnel, leaving her humiliated and distressed.
According to her statement, when she objected and sought help from the police stationed at the centre, a female police officer allegedly dismissed her concerns.
“If they are saying so, then just remove it,” the officer can be heard saying in the video, according to the woman.
The candidate has alleged that the incident amounted to a violation of her dignity, privacy, and religious freedom.
She said she was forced to choose between her faith and her right to appear for a competitive examination for which she had prepared and travelled from another state.
“This is not just about me. It is about the rights of Muslim women and the freedom to practice one’s religion without humiliation,” she said in the video, adding that she intends to pursue legal action against the examination authority.
The incident has drawn sharp reactions on social media, with activists and civil rights groups questioning the exam centre’s compliance with existing guidelines.
Previous instructions issued by several examination bodies allow religious attire, including hijab, subject to reasonable checks, and recommend that frisking or verification be conducted by female staff in private, if required.
As of now, there has been no official response from the railway recruitment authorities or the Gujarat police regarding the allegations.
Calls for a formal inquiry into the incident have intensified following the circulation of the video.
The woman said she hopes her case will ensure that no other candidate is subjected to similar treatment in the future.
