When Hafiz Abu Bakr reached SVP Hospital in Ahmedabad to appear for his final-year medical examination, he was stopped by people with a prejudiced mindset, who told him that he would be allowed to sit for the exam only if he got his beard clean-shaven.
The examination was scheduled from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. After prolonged arguments, Hafiz Abu Bakr was finally permitted to enter the examination hall at 11:00 AM. But who will compensate for the three crucial hours that were wasted? And how can any student be expected to perform well in a medical final exam after undergoing such mental harassment?
This raises serious questions.
If a Hindu priest, a sadhu, or a Rajput candidate appears for an exam with a beard and traditional hair, would they also be asked to shave or cut their hair?
If a Sikh candidate arrives with a beard and turban, would his beard be shaved and his turban removed?
And one cannot help but ask, since when did the dignity and competence of a medical professional start depending on a razor? Apparently, years of medical education, clinical training, ethics, and responsibility toward human life now matter less than facial hair. Perhaps next, stethoscopes will be checked for ideology and prescriptions for appearance compliance.
Such discriminatory practices have no place in an academic or professional examination system and demand immediate accountability.
Inputs from Sahal Qureshi X Post
The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FOEJ
