Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Jun 21: A dispute over examination security procedures and dress code regulations briefly sparked tensions outside a NEET re-examination centre in Ahmedabad on Sunday, prompting police intervention to restore normalcy.
The incident took place at R.J. Tibrewal Commerce College in the Vastrapur area, one of the designated centres conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) re-examination, which was ordered following the controversy surrounding the alleged paper leak.
Officials said Gujarat hosted the examination at 211 centres, with candidates allowed entry between 11 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. before the test commenced at 2 p.m.
Authorities had deployed enhanced security arrangements across all centres, including multiple layers of frisking, identity verification and strict implementation of guidelines issued by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to ensure transparency and prevent malpractice.
The situation at the Ahmedabad centre escalated after a female candidate wearing a hijab underwent security screening during the entry process.
According to officials and eyewitnesses, the hijab was temporarily removed for inspection. The candidate's mother objected and requested that her daughter be allowed to take the examination while wearing the religious attire.
Following discussions involving examination officials, the college administration and police personnel, authorities permitted the student to re-enter the examination hall wearing the hijab.
The decision, however, drew objections from some parents waiting outside the centre, who questioned whether examination rules were being applied uniformly.
Several parents argued that students wearing Hindu religious items, including sacred threads (kalava), necklaces (kanthi) and bracelets, had been instructed to remove them during frisking and sought equal application of regulations for all candidates.
As the disagreement intensified, groups associated with Bajrang Dal and AIMIM supporters gathered near the venue, leading to a heated exchange and a brief scuffle.
Police personnel quickly intervened to disperse the crowd and prevent the situation from escalating further.
Senior officers, including Assistant Commissioner of Police (A Division) Jayesh Bhrambhatt, supervised crowd-control measures and ensured law and order were maintained.
Police said a few individuals were removed from the premises for creating disturbances.
Speaking to reporters, ACP Bhrambhatt said that members of different organisations had assembled at the examination centre, but the situation was brought under control through timely intervention.
He added that the removal of certain religious items during security checks was part of standard examination procedures and that officials had counselled those who raised objections.
Authorities confirmed that the candidate concerned was allowed to appear for the examination and that the test proceeded without any disruption inside the centre.
Across Gujarat, NEET re-examination centres operated under heightened security following concerns raised in recent years over examination integrity and instances of malpractice.
Nationally, NEET is conducted for more than 20 lakh aspirants at hundreds of centres, with strict protocols governing frisking procedures and prohibited items to ensure a fair and transparent examination process.
Police have also appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information on social media and reiterated that the situation at the Ahmedabad centre remained under control throughout the examination.