Hijab Protesters ‘Punished’; No Re-Exam For Skipping Practical Tests

Bengaluru: Hundreds of students who had protested against the hijab controversy are being made to face the consequences in Karnataka. They will not be allowed to take a re-examination after having boycotted the PUC II Practical exams.

The PUC II Practical Exams 2022 took place in February and March in Karnataka, when the hijab row erupted in the state. Many students skipped the exams as they were not allowed to wear hijab inside educational institutions, with some of them protesting against the state government’s order.

Authorities in Department of Pre University Education were considering options for students who did not pass the 2nd PUC Exams 2022.

However, the government has decided to mark them ‘absent’ for missing the Practical exams.

“How can we even consider the possibility? If we allow the students who boycotted the practicals because they were not allowed to wear hijab to the exam despite the interim order issued by the high court, another student will come citing some other reason and seeking a second chance. It is impossible,” BC Nagesh, the Primary and Secondary Education Minister said.

The 2nd PUC Exams in Karnataka in 2022 are usually worth 100 points. Practicals are worth 30 points and theory is worth 70 points, for a total of 100 points per paper. While students who do not attend practicals will lose all 30 points, they can sit for and pass the 70-point theory exam to avoid missing the entire academic year. Unless otherwise stated, practical exams in these papers are worth 30 points, with theory papers accounting for the remaining marks.

K. Raghupati Bhat (BJP), who represents the Udupi constituency, urged the government to give Muslim girl students a second chance to take exams without wearing hijab, citing the fact that many did not take the exams when they were held. He also demanded that the government take action against anyone who causes trouble on the state’s school and college campuses. His request was denied, however, because the final court order makes no mention of giving students a second chance to take exams.