Gujarat HC notice to govt on 'religious profiling' of Muslim students

The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to the state government seeking an explanation for using an online examination form for the Class X and XII board examinations, taken by the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB), to collect data and segregate students of Muslim community.

The notice was issued following a PIL filed by K.R. Koshty, who alleged that the BJP-ruled Gujarat government was resorting to religious-profiling of students from Muslim community apearing for the board exams.

Koshty also challenged Gujarat government's mandatory online forms for the board exams, arguing that Internet connectivity in many parts of the state was poor. According to the PIL, the forms also seek Aadhaar details which is against the Supreme Court's recent judgement.

The state government has been collecting data for the last five years of Muslim students appearing for the board exams, the state Education Minister had said on Tuesday.

A division bench of acting Chief Justice Anant Dave and Justice Biren Vaishnav sought replies from the state government, Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) by December 6.

--IANS

desai/prs