A Delhi University student has approached the Delhi High Court over the Eid ul Adha exam controversy, challenging the university’s decision to conduct examinations on May 28.The plea filed by the student says that the decision violates the religious rights of Muslim students under Articles 14, 21, 25, and 29 of the Constitution.
“In pursuance of the Office Memorandum No. 12/3/2023-JCA dated 22nd May, 2026, issued by the Director (JCA), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (Department of Personnel & Training), the University of Delhi will observe a holiday on account of Id-Ul-Zuha (Bakrid) on Thursday, the 28th May, 2026, instead of Wednesday, 27th May, 2026. All offices of the university, its faculty, departments, colleges, and institutions will remain closed on Thursday, the 28th of May, 2026. Note: Examination will be conducted as scheduled. This is issued with the approval of the competent authority,” the notice read.
“Conducting exams on the day of Eid ul Adha violates students’ religious rights. Eid is an important festival for Muslims, involving family gatherings and responsibilities. In such a situation, if exams are held, students are forced to choose between their exams and family commitments,” a DU student said, talking to FoEJ Media.
“Universities should prioritize academics, but they should not completely ignore religion. In a diverse country like India, educational institutions must respect the religious sentiments of students,” he added.
“The University administration has actively put its Muslim students in an untenable position by deciding to go ahead with the exams on this particular day, despite clear, prior warning, forcing them to choose between their academic future and their basic right to practice their faith,” a letter addressed to the University Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and Controller of Examinations by Ahammed Rabeeh PR, President of the Fraternity Movement at Delhi University, stated.
The plea highlights that several constitutional institutions and public authorities, which include the Supreme Court of India, have shifted Eid ul Adha to May 28, 2026, which comes in conformity with the declaration made by the Government of India. ““However, despite officially declaring the holiday on 28.05.2026, the Respondent University has arbitrarily decided to continue examinations on the said date,” the plea said.
The Fraternity Movement, Delhi University, condemning the notification of the exam, said, “We, Fraternity Movement, Delhi University, express our strongest condemnation and deep disappointment with the recent notification of the university administration affirming that the semester examinations scheduled for 28 May 2026 will not be postponed. Despite our earlier representations clearly stating that the exam date coincides directly with the major religious festival of Eid al-Adha (Bakrid), this decision has been taken. This decision has been made despite our earlier representations, making it very clear that the exam date is directly on the major religious festival of Eid al-Adha (Bakrid).”
“We ask the university administration to withdraw the notification immediately, revise its stance, and reschedule the examinations to be held on 28 May 2026. Or, failing this, the university must explicitly declare an alternative examination date for all affected students without any academic penalty, loss of chance, or discriminatory marking. We hope that Delhi University will live up to its image of inclusivity and secularism and act with fairness rather than administrative apathy,” it added.
The SIO, Delhi University, also condemned the decision to conduct the examination on Eid ul Adha and said, “Such a contradictory move disregards the religious observance, accessibility, and concerns of thousands of students. We urge the authorities to immediately reschedule the examinations scheduled on Eid.”
