NEW DELHI, Aug 27: The girls who were asked to remove their innerwear before appearing for the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions will be allowed to re-take the examination.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday said it would re-conduct the NEET exam for girl students who were allegedly asked to remove their underwear during frisking ahead of taking the medical entrance test.
The girls will be given the option to take the exam on September 4. The NTA has sent an email confirming the same to students.
A massive row had erupted after reports emerged that many young girls were asked to remove their innerwear before entering the NEET examination centre in Kerala’s Kollam district.
A Person had filed a complaint with the Kottarakara police in July stating that female NEET aspirants, including his daughter, were asked to remove their bras before entering the examination centre in Chathamangalam. He had also complained that most of the girl students could not write their examinations properly due to the disturbed mental condition and body shame.
According to reports, students were forced to take off their innerwear before entering the exam centre as the metal hooks on their bras were a ‘security concern.’
An FIR was then registered under sections 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.
The Kerala police had arrested seven persons in this connection including two members of college staff who were present at the NEET exam centre and three of the agency that was entrusted with the security of the centre. All accused eventually got bail.
Following outrage and widespread protests over the alleged incident, the Human Rights Commission directed Kollam rural SP to investigate the matter and submit a report within 15 days. The National Commission for Women and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had also sought action against personnel involved in the incident.
The NTA had also set up a three-member fact-finding committee to probe the allegations and submit its report in four weeks.
(Manas Dasgupta)