There have been many justifications in support of dress code prescribed by CBSE for AIPMT – that such measures are necessary to curb cheating in exams. I would like to mention two instances of cheating in exams during my college days. One boy had written answers on his chappals and one girl wearing a miniskirt was caught copying matter written on her thighs. Should we now ban chappals and miniskirts? A nun in Kerala was denied the right to answer the exam after she refused to remove her veil. She opted to stick to her religion over her career. Banning is not the solution. Examiners need to be more vigilant. Last year an MLA had proposed to ban burqa for security reasons and to curb crime. However, he failed to provide statistical data of crimes committed (murder, drug trade, prostitution, robberies, etc) by burqa clad persons. It is sad to see pre-conceived notions taking precedence over logical thinking and analysis. In France when the veil was banned, the media appreciated it and when there was a ban on miniskirts the same media criticized it. If a woman is free to show her body then she is free to cover it also. Our policy makers should understand that our Constitution guarantees a person to hold on to his beliefs and customs.
Dress code by CBSE
