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Nun with veil not allowed to write medical exam

A Catholic nun, who refused to remove her veil and cross, was not allowed to take the All India Pre-Medical Entrance Test held in Kerala on Saturday.
The incident was reported from Kanjirakulam Jawahar Central School in the state capital. Sister Saiba, who belongs to Bathani Convent at Nalanchira in the city, had sought permission to write the examination with her veil and cross.
When the school principal rejected her plea, the nun sought a separate room to write the examination without veil and cross. The school authorities rejected this too citing the guidelines issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). "According to congregation rules we are not allowed to remove veil. As I was not ready to flout the religious norms, I left without writing the exam" Sister Saiba told a television channel.
The nun said she was ready to remove the veil and cross for the purpose of frisking, but the school authorities were not ready to allow her to wear them after the checking and write the examination.
"I thought if I undergo checking I would be allowed to wear my veil. I feel there is something against religious people. As a member of the congregation, I will do what my sisters ask me to do. My intention is to give the test next year. "
Reacting to the incident, Syro Malabar Church spokesperson Father Paul Thelekkat, said it was "unfortunate" that the nun was not permitted to write the test. He said that the Supreme Court directive on not allowing head scarf in the exam was a violation of the fundamental right of a citizen.
"The Catholic church does not consider veil as the most important religious symbol of the Catholic faith. At the same time, we do not subscribe to the view of the Supreme court chief justice that 3-4 hours without veil does not make any difference. It does make and it is up to the citizen to take the decision", he told a news agency.
The CBSE board that conducts the test had taken stringent measures on the directions of the apex court to make sure candidates don't resort to cheating during the test. The test held in May this year was cancelled after it was found that the question papers had leaked during the exam.
The Supreme Court had struck down a plea, seeking permission for Muslim students to wear a hijab during the pre-medical tests. A bench led by Chief Justice HL Dattu said that not wearing a hijab while taking an examination wouldn't amount to defying their faith.
However, the Kerala high court had granted conditional permission to two Muslim girls to appear for the test wearing hijab.

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