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Kolkata:<\/strong> <\/em>In a recent controversy at Jadavpur University, Professor Saswati Halder, Head of the English Department, has been asked to go on leave until the end of January following protests over an exam-related incident. The action came after students and activists accused her of \u201cIslamophobia\u201d for requesting a Muslim student to partially remove her hijab during an exam on suspicion of cheating. The BJP criticised the TMC government for prioritising vote-bank politics over institutional rules and academic integrity, calling the decision to ask the professor to go on leave an example of \u201cappeasement.\u201d<\/p>\n At Jadavpur University, an English HOD is sent on leave for asking a Muslim student to partially remove hijab during an exam on suspicion of cheating after protests led by the commie union Students\u2019 Federation of India branding it \u201cIslamophobia\u201d.<\/p>\n West Bengal Minorities\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/GGoxxOiKk7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Prasanna Viswanathan (@prasannavishy) January 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The incident took place on December 22, 2025, when Professor Halder asked two third-year undergraduate students to remove their hijabs to ensure the integrity of the exam. The professor has stated that the request was made privately, in the presence of a female batchmate, and that no other hijab-wearing students were subjected to similar scrutiny. She emphasised that the action was strictly to prevent cheating and maintain academic standards.<\/p>\n Despite her explanation, the Students\u2019 Federation of India (SFI) staged protests, branding the professor\u2019s action as \u201cIslamophobic.\u201d The West Bengal Minorities Commission also stepped in, calling the incident \u201cprofiling\u201d and demanding appropriate action. Following this, a five-member fact-finding committee was formed by JU to probe the matter.<\/p>\n Professor Halder reportedly applied for leave from January 7 to 30, citing personal reasons, but officials said the decision came under pressure due to student protests and university directives. The Vice-Chancellor, Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, reportedly suggested that it was best for her to step aside temporarily until the inquiry was completed.<\/p>\n The Bharatiya Janata Party sharply criticised the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal over the incident, accusing it of \u201cappeasement.\u201d<\/p>\n Appeasement at its lowest by Mamata Banerjee.<\/p>\n An English professor at Jadavpur University has been asked to go on leave for doing her duty. Her \u201cfault\u201d? Asking a student to remove her hijab briefly during an examination to verify identity, a standard and reasonable procedure\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/GyG3CxWX4x<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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