Kolkata, 05 January (H.S.) :

A fact-finding committee probing the hijab-related controversy at Jadavpur University on Monday held its first meeting and recommended that the head of the English department be relieved of her duties during the course of the investigation. However, the recommendation was not unanimously accepted, with the Governor’s nominee on the panel expressing dissent.

The controversy traces back to the university’s convocation on December 24, where two students appeared with placards reading “My Body, My Choice” and “Say No to Islamophobia”. The protest was linked to an incident during the fifth-semester examination of the third-year undergraduate course held on December 22.

According to the complaint, during an inspection to prevent the use of unfair means, the head of the English department allegedly asked two female students to remove their hijabs against their will. The issue triggered widespread debate and led to the formation of a fact-finding committee to examine the allegations.

Sources said the department head, in her written submission to the authorities, maintained that the checking was conducted solely to curb malpractice during the examination. She stated that all students were subjected to checks, not only the two hijab-wearing students, and claimed she had repeatedly apologised to them while explaining that she was only performing her official duty. It was also stated that incriminating notes were recovered from two other students, neither of whom was wearing a hijab.

The committee, chaired by Syed Tanvir Nasrin and comprising senior faculty members and the Governor’s representative, recommended her temporary removal from the post pending completion of the inquiry. Sources, however, said the department head opposed the move, reiterating that she harboured no discriminatory intent and had already expressed regret over the incident.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh