A disturbance broke out at a National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) centre in Surat on Sunday after a student was instructed to remove her religious beads, known as 'kanthi', during the mandatory frisking process before the examination.
Incident Details
According to officials, the student complied with the request and handed over the beads before proceeding to the examination hall. However, a parent accompanying the student later questioned the directive after making inquiries, claiming there was no such requirement. The parent returned to the centre and created a ruckus, leading to a brief tense situation as police and centre staff intervened.
Student's Response
On the parent's insistence, the student was called back from the examination hall, but she reportedly refused to wear the beads again. The situation was eventually resolved without further escalation.
Official Statement
Surat district education officer Bhagirathsinh Parmar clarified that the local administration has no role in the frisking process, as it is conducted by agencies appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA). He emphasized that the procedure is standard to prevent irregularities.
Exam Statistics
The NEET exam was conducted at 22 centres across the city, with 10,173 students appearing and 144 remaining absent. The incident did not disrupt the overall examination schedule.
This event highlights the sensitivity around religious symbols during standardized testing and the importance of clear communication regarding examination protocols.
