Haryana Upholds Religious Rights During Exams

The Haryana government allows religious items, like the 'kirpan' and 'mangalsutra', under strict conditions during exams to accommodate Sikh students and married female candidates. This decision aligns with Delhi High Court rulings to respect cultural rights while ensuring exams run smoothly.

The Haryana government has announced that Sikh students and married women can carry specific religious items, such as the 'kirpan' and 'mangalsutra', during examinations. The directive aims to respect cultural rights, adhering to court judgments that highlight the necessity for religious accommodations.

According to official guidelines, Sikh students can carry a 'kirpan' as long as it does not exceed 9 inches in total length, with the blade not longer than 6 inches. Candidates are required to arrive at the examination center an hour before the scheduled time, while women wearing 'mangalsutra' should arrive 30 minutes early, as per the notification from the Chief Secretary's Office.

This initiative is a step towards balancing religious freedoms with the smooth administration of exams. All Administrative Secretaries are tasked with ensuring compliance among examination staff in various educational and recruiting bodies across the state.

(With inputs from agencies.)