Overview
- A six-member West Bengal Minorities Commission team visited Jadavpur University, with chairman Ahmed Hasan Imran calling forced hijab removal unacceptable and recommending the English department head stay off campus during the inquiry and face possible disciplinary action.
- Jadavpur University has formed a three-member fact-finding committee led by Burdwan University’s Syed Tanveer Nasreen and asked it to report within 30 days, with Deputy Registrar Ujjwal Kumar Mondal appointed presenting officer.
- Education minister Bratya Basu said the government has taken a strong view and warned of strict action if the allegations are proven, indicating next steps will follow the commission’s findings.
- A third-year English student alleged she was told to partially remove her hijab to check for wireless headphones during a semester exam, while student accounts say no electronic devices were found when checked separately.
- Senior faculty reject claims of Islamophobia, asserting checks were part of heightened anti-cheating vigilance after several students were caught using headphones, as protests during the December 24 convocation brought the episode to public attention.