Summary:
She told the commission that she answered the same examination on two occasions in the past with her headgear? Soudagar replied that hers was the only case in Goa. PANAJI: The Goa Human Rights Commission has sought an explanation from Safina Khan Soudagar on whether the commission has power to seek a reply from the central authority in the case of denial of entry to her to answer the National Eligibility Test examination because she was wearing a hijab The commission raised the question of its jurisdiction before dealing with the matter and adjourned the case for hearing on question of admissision . Soudagar stated that she would engage a lawyer to argue the matter.Soudagar approached the human rights commission after she was denied entry to the building of the examination hall at Patto, during security check when she refused to remove her hijab on December 18.While hearing Soudagar, the commission asked her whether there were more such instances of women in headscarfs being denied entry . without any hassles.When the commission raised the issue of jurisdiction considering that the examination was conducted by a central authority, Soudagar told the commission that the commission was empowerd to take cognizance as the incident took place in Goa.When asked by the commission which other authorities she had filed complaints, she stated that she complained to the women’s commission too.Soudagar showed the commission a copy of her complaint to the director of higher education, Porvorim and its letter sent to the director general of the national testing agency of the ministry of human resource and development, New Delhi, asking for a copy of written instructions on acceptable dress code issued to various examination centres including the centre at Patto Plaza, Panaji and copy of do’s and don’ts issued to students..