New Delhi: In the country's capital Delhi, a Sikh woman candidate was stopped from appearing in the competitive examination because she was wearing a Kada. The woman had arrived just before the commencement of the examination, as per the timing given on the admit card. Even after this, the woman was allowed to sit in the examination only after removing the string. The woman has moved the Delhi High Court in this matter.
The girl filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging her denial of permission to appear in the PGT-Economics (Female) examination. The woman says that the action of the authorities cannot be defended merely on the ground that they had issued a notification that the candidate with a Kada or a kirpan will have to reach the examination centre at least one hour before the reporting time. According to the petitioner, this notification was issued only two days after the examination was conducted.
Hearing the matter, Justice Palli observed that, it is extremely unfortunate that a body like the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB), which regularly conducts examinations with a large number of Sikh candidates, has not informed the candidates in time. Provided that if they want to come wearing Kada or kirpan, they will have to reach the centre one hour before the commencement of the exam. The court directed the DSSSB to ensure that the information in such cases is given by the body at an appropriate time so that it does not cause any difficulty to the examinees.
The court further observed that the examination conducting body had not issued such information earlier. After this, until the petitioner did not remove the string, she was refused to appear in the examination. Along with this, she was asked to cut the sleeves of her clothes in half. The petitioner woman was wrongly prevented from appearing in the examination. The court observed that the actions of DSSSB are clearly not sustainable and deserve to be set aside. The petitioner submitted that she has no objection to re-appearing in the examination provided she is given age relaxation and the examination is being conducted in a time-bound manner and the court has sought a response from the authorities.
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