Introduction: When Religious Symbols Clash with Security Checks
Imagine standing in a queue for one of the most competitive exams in the country. You have studied for months. Your adrenaline is high. You reach the metal detector, and suddenly, you are told to remove your mangalsutra—a symbol of your marital status, your faith, and for many, your identity.
Now imagine another scenario: a girl wearing a burqa is allowed to enter the exam hall without removing it, with only a discreet identity check by female staff.
This isn’t a hypothetical exercise in ethics. This is exactly what happened in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, on February 8, during the national CTET exam. And it sparked a firestorm of protests, political outrage, and a very uncomfortable question: Are we applying one rule for one community and another for everyone else?
Let’s break this down, without the noise, and with a focus on facts, logic, and a pinch of humor—because sometimes, you have to laugh to keep from crying at the absurdity.
The Incident: What Happened at the CTET Exam?
On February 8, female candidates appearing for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar were stopped at the entrance. The reason? They were wearing mangalsutras and other jewelry.
Now, we all know how metal detectors work. They beep. You take off the metal. You walk through. You put it back on. Simple, right? Not exactly.
For many Hindu women, the mangalsutra is not just a piece of jewelry. It is a sacred thread, a religious emblem worn for the longevity of their husbands. Removing it, even for a few seconds, can feel like a violation of deeply held beliefs.
The candidates objected. They argued that this was a matter of religious importance in Hindu tradition. But the security protocol was rigid: no metals, no entry.
Fast forward to February 11. Hindu groups hit the streets in protest. They weren’t just angry about the CTET incident. They were angry about something else: a state board circular that, according to them, tells a very different story for Muslim candidates.
The Other Side: The Burqa Circular for SSC and HSC Exams
Here is where the logic gets tangled.
The Maharashtra State Board has issued guidelines for the upcoming SSC and HSC exams scheduled for February–March 2026. According to these guidelines:
- Muslim girls are allowed to wear burqas inside the exam hall.
- Identity verification will be handled sensitively by female staff to ensure modesty and security.
- The idea is to maintain religious accommodation while preventing impersonation.
On the surface, this sounds inclusive. It respects the religious practices of Muslim students. But when you place this next to the CTET incident, the contrast is glaring.
Critics are now asking: If a burqa—which can theoretically conceal identity—is allowed with special checks, why can’t a mangalsutra—a small piece of jewelry—be allowed with a simple manual check?
The Core Issue: Religious Symbols and Equal Treatment
Let’s strip away the politics and look at the core principle: fairness.
India is a land of diverse religious symbols. For Hindus, it’s the mangalsutra, the bindi, the sacred thread. For Sikhs, it’s the kada (iron bangle) and the kirpan (ceremonial dagger). For Muslims, it’s the burqa or hijab. For Christians, it might be a cross.
All of these have deep religious significance. So, if we create a system where one is accommodated and another is not, we aren’t just creating a security policy. We are creating a hierarchy of faiths.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar protests highlight this disparity perfectly. The female candidates weren’t asking for special treatment. They were asking for the same treatment.
Security vs. Sentiment: Can We Have Both?
Let’s play devil’s advocate for a moment. Security is non-negotiable. Exam malpractices, impersonation, and cheating are real problems. Metal detectors are there for a reason.
But here is the thing: Security doesn’t have to be stupid.
If a burqa can be checked by a female invigilator in a private room, why can’t a mangalsutra be checked the same way? If a Sikh student can request a private space to remove their kada if absolutely necessary, why can’t a Hindu woman do the same?
The problem isn’t the metal detector. The problem is the rigidity of the process and the lack of uniformity in applying exceptions.
The Demand: Consistent Guidelines for Board Exams
As the February–March 2026 board exams approach, the demand for consistent guidelines is growing louder.
Hindu organizations, along with various social groups, are calling on the Maharashtra State Board and the Central Government to issue a clear, uniform policy regarding religious symbols during examinations.
They argue that:
- All religious symbols should be treated equally. If one is allowed, all should be allowed, subject to verification.
- Verification protocols must be standardized. Female staff for female candidates, private rooms for sensitive checks, and clear SOPs for invigilators.
- No candidate should be forced to choose between their faith and their future.
A Dose of Humor: The Irony of It All
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the irony.
We live in a world where we trust machines more than humans. A metal detector beeps, and suddenly, a sacred object becomes a "security threat." But a full-body covering garment? No problem, we’ll just send a lady to check.
It’s like saying, "We don’t trust you with a tiny chain, but we trust you with an entire fabric fortress."
If we really want to be fair, maybe we should ask everyone to enter in a neutral uniform—no metals, no fabrics, just a smile. But then, how would we check identity? Retinal scans? Fingerprints? (Wait, don’t give them ideas.)
All jokes aside, the point is simple: Common sense should prevail.
Facts and Figures: Why This Matters
Let’s look at some data to understand the scale.
- CTET is one of the largest teacher eligibility tests in India, with lakhs of candidates appearing every year.
- Maharashtra SSC and HSC exams see participation from over 3 million students annually.
- According to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, a significant percentage of girl students in Maharashtra come from Muslim communities who may opt for burqas during exams.
- Similarly, a large portion of Hindu women, especially in semi-urban and rural areas, wear mangalsutras daily without exception.
When you have millions of students from diverse backgrounds, you cannot afford to have ad-hoc policies. You need clarity. You need consistency.
The Legal Angle: What Does the Constitution Say?
India’s Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion under Article 25. It also guarantees equality before the law under Article 14.
Any policy that discriminates between religious practices—either explicitly or implicitly—can be challenged in court. While wearing a mangalsutra may not be a mandatory religious practice for all Hindus, for many sects and communities, it is considered an essential symbol of marriage and piety.
The burqa, similarly, is considered a religious obligation by many Muslim women.
The courts have, in the past, upheld the right of Sikhs to wear turbans and kadas in schools and exams. The logic is simple: if it doesn’t fundamentally disrupt the examination process, it should be accommodated.
What Needs to Happen Next?
If we want to avoid another protest in February–March 2026, here is a simple roadmap:
- Form a Committee – Include members from various religious communities, educationists, and security experts to draft a uniform dress code policy.
- Classify Religious Symbols – Identify which symbols are commonly worn and create a clear list. For each, define a verification protocol.
- Train Invigilators – Sensitivity training is a must. Invigilators should know how to handle religious accommodations without bias or rudeness.
- Publicize the Guidelines – Candidates should know the rules months in advance, not at the exam hall gate.
Conclusion: Fairness is Not a Favor
The women in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar who were asked to remove their mangalsutras didn’t protest because they hate security checks. They protested because they saw a system that bends for one and breaks for another.
As we move toward the 2026 board exams, let’s hope the authorities take note. Let’s hope they realize that religious accommodation is not a zero-sum game. You can respect the burqa and the mangalsutra in the same breath. You just need the will to try.
Because at the end of the day, a student is a student. Whether she walks in wearing a chain of gold or a veil of cloth, her mind should be on the exam—not on what she had to leave behind at the gate.
Sources and References
- Maharashtra State Board Official Circulars (as cited in media reports)
- CTET Examination Guidelines, CBSE
- News reports from The Indian Express, Times of India, and local dailies covering the February 8 incident and February 11 protests.
- Constitution of India: Article 14, Article 25
- Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India – Data on educational participation
FAQs Related:
Is it legal to wear a mangalsutra during board exams in Maharashtra?
Currently, there is no uniform statewide law explicitly banning or allowing the mangalsutra. The legality depends on the specific exam conducting body and the center's security protocol. For the CTET exam, strict metal detector policies led to women being asked to remove them. However, legal experts argue this could violate Article 25 (Right to Freedom of Religion) and Article 14 (Right to Equality) of the Indian Constitution, especially when other religious symbols like the burqa are accommodated with special checks. Until a uniform directive is issued, it remains at the discretion of local exam authorities.
Why are burqas allowed but mangalsutras not allowed in exams?
This disparity exists because of how different guidelines are applied. The Maharashtra State Board circular for the 2026 SSC/HSC exams explicitly allows burqas with identity checks by female staff, treating it as a religious garment requiring a special protocol. The mangalsutra, however, ran into trouble during the CTET exam because it triggered metal detectors and was treated purely as a metallic object with no immediate provision for a manual check. Critics argue this creates a double standard—if one faith symbol gets an exception, others should too. The lack of a standardized "religious symbols policy" across exam boards is the root cause.
What are the dress code rules for girls in Maharashtra board exams?
For the Maharashtra State Board SSC and HSC exams (Feb-March 2026), the guidelines allow girls to wear burqas or hijabs. Identity verification for students in burqas is conducted by female staff only, in a sensitive manner to maintain modesty. While there is no strict uniform, students are advised to wear comfortable clothing that allows for easy verification. However, there is currently no clear, publicized rule regarding items like the mangalsutra, bangles, or kada for these exams, which has become a major point of concern and protest.
What should I do if I am asked to remove a religious symbol at an exam center?
If faced with this situation: 1) Stay calm and ask to speak to the Centre Superintendent immediately. 2) Request a private check by female staff, explaining the religious significance of the item—mention the burqa circular precedent if applicable. 3) If officials refuse and you must enter the exam, comply under protest. 4) After the exam, note the center name and invigilator details, and file a formal complaint with the exam conducting body (Maharashtra State Board or CBSE). You can also reach out to women's or religious organizations tracking these issues for support.
