Big storm over short pants

Guwahati | Friday | 17th September, 2021

Summary:

Guwahati, Sep 17 (PTI) A 19-year-old girl appearing for an examination in Assam was made to wrap a curtain around her legs by an invigilator who chafed at her wearing shorts, provoking outrage and allegations of gender bias, and prompting university authorities to order an inquiry.

The girl"s family has, however, decided against taking the matter further in the interest of her mental well-being and academic future.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when the girl had gone from her hometown Biswanath Chariali to Tezpur to appear for the entrance examination of the Assam Agricultural University (AAU).

She had unhindered access to the venue but an invigilator inside the examination hall objected to her wearing short pants.

Her father Babul Tamuli told PTI on Friday that after the invigilator at Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (GIPS) told her that she will not be allowed to appear for the exam wearing shorts, she took up the matter with the authorities there and insisted no dress code was mentioned on the admit card.

She also told them she had appeared in the NEET exams recently in shorts.