4 teachers suspended after NEET candidate was asked to remove innewear

Two days after a female candidate who appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in Kannur was asked to remove her inner wear with metal hooks as part of security restrictions, four teachers on duty at the examination centre were placed under suspension pending inquiry.

Management of the TISK English Medium School in Kunhimangalam on Tuesday suspended Shafeena, Sheeja, Bindu and Shahina for a month, in connection with the incident. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state's views against the regressive form of frisking would be conveyed to the Centre. The Chief Minister said police officials had already been directed to take appropriate steps. 

The incident was condemned by legislators across political lines. Members of the CPM-affiliated Democratic Youth Federation of India organised a



protest march to the school. On Monday, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission had suo motu registered a case.

A candidate who appeared for the examination said she was asked to remove her brassiere with metal hooks after a security check. While she maintained that she was asked to remove her inner wear in the presence of female invigilators, the school management had denied that the incident happened. On Monday, Jalaluddin, principal of the school, told Deccan Herald that the candidate was only "informed" that she would not be allowed to sit for the examination and no instructions were given to remove her inner wear.

Candidates who wore jeans were asked to cut out the pockets with metal buttons while those who came in wearing long-sleeved tops were asked to cut the sleeves in adherence with the dress code prescribed for the medical examination.