Nitesh Rane, a minister in Maharashtra, has called for an all-encompassing prohibition of burqas in educational institutions, emphasizing that religious customs ought to be kept private.
Maharashtra Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Nitesh Rane has called for a ban on the wearing of burqas during next month’s State Board Standard 10 and 12 examinations, citing concerns over exam malpractice and security risks.
The Kankavli legislator called for a wider ban on the religious garment in educational institutions, asserting that such attire should be limited to “homes and places of worship”.
On January 29, 2025, Mr. Rane, the son of Narayan Rane (a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra), sent a letter to State School Education Minister Dada Bhuse emphasizing the importance of a “transparent” process for the crucial exams set to start on February 11 for Class 12 and February 21 for Class 10.
This year, more than 1.5 million students are anticipated to take the Maharashtra State Board’s Secondary School Certificate (Class 10) and Higher Secondary Certificate (Class 12) exams.
He proposed the use of female police officers or staff to carry out identity checks if necessary. Mr. Rane stated in the letter, which was later shared with media outlets, “If examinees are allowed to wear burqas, it becomes difficult to determine whether electronic devices or other unfair methods are being employed.”
He cautioned that any malpractice or security lapse during exams could “trigger social or law-and-order issues”, negatively impacting students.
The BJP leader pointed out security risks as well, mentioning that the burqa obscures facial identification. “Who is the person under the burqa? Is the student who registered for the exam the same? He contended that verification cannot be done, citing a government resolution from 2023 permitting burqas in exam halls—this is a policy he aims to annul.
Mr. Rane alleged that burqas had been “misused” in previous exams to smuggle paper chits, stating, “This is not Pakistan or Afghanistan.” He implored authorities to rescind any current notifications that allow the garment in educational environments.
The Minister’s demands encompass more than just examinations. He supported instituting a comprehensive prohibition of burqas in all educational settings, emphasizing that religious practices ought to be kept private. “Keep your faith at home or in your places of worship,” he stated.
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