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WIM condemns harassment of Hijab-clad candidates at VAO Exam
In Short
State Secretary Asha Moodigere demands probe
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Asha Moodigere
Bengaluru: Asha Moodigere, state secretary of the Women India Movement (WIM), strongly condemned the alleged treatment meted out to women candidates wearing hijab and veil during the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) recruitment examination conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority on 4 October 2026.
The candidates were reportedly stopped and held at the centres, an atmosphere of confusion was created, and mental harassment was inflicted. A petition has been submitted to the Chief Secretaries of the Karnataka government, the Executive Director of the KEA, and the concerned Principal Secretaries.
The petition calls for a comprehensive investigation into the disorder that occurred at the examination centres and the mental pressure placed on candidates, and for suitable measures so that such incidents do not recur in forthcoming examinations.
Issuing a press statement, Asha Moodigere expressed anguish that candidates who had laboured day and night for months to prepare were made to stand for hours at the entrance of the examination centre, subjected to unnecessary discussions, and had their self-confidence crushed, calling it an extremely regrettable development.
She said that for about thirty minutes the candidates were pushed into mental pressure and a situation was created in which they cried, amounting to an insult to their rights and dignity.
She argued that the matter must not be viewed as limited to any single community. “It concerns the respect, privacy and right to equal opportunity of every woman candidate who covers her head and chest for religious, cultural or personal reasons. Preventing examination malpractices and safeguarding security is important; equally important is the duty not to embarrass women under the name of enforcing rules,” she said.
Asha demanded that a high-level investigation be launched immediately into the difficulties and confusion experienced by candidates at the VAO examination centres on 4 October.
“Dress-code rules must be published clearly before the examination and transparency maintained regarding hijab, veil and traditional attire. Security checks must mandatorily be carried out by women staff inside separate rooms in a manner that does not violate candidates’ privacy and dignity,” she said.
Asha insisted that the government and the examination authority consider the petition seriously and furnish a written explanation of the steps taken.
