Tensions Flare in Madhya Pradesh After Sikh Candidate Asked to Remove Turban at MPPSC Exam

March 2, 2026 — A significant controversy has erupted in Madhya Pradesh after an Amritdhari Sikh woman was allegedly forced to remove her turban and kirpan during a security screening for a state competitive examination. The incident, which took place on Sunday, has sparked protests from the Sikh community and raised urgent questions regarding religious freedom and the implementation of exam security protocols.

The Incident

The row began at an examination centre in Ratlam during the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) State Eligibility Test (SET). The candidate, identified as Gurlin Kaur, a resident of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, arrived at the centre on Sagod Road for her afternoon session.

According to Kaur, female security staff escorted her to a separate room before the exam and insisted she remove her Dumala (turban) for inspection. Additionally, her kirpan (a ceremonial dagger worn by initiated Sikhs) was confiscated during the search.

“This is a fundamental part of my faith,” Kaur told reporters after the exam. “I have appeared for several national and state-level exams before and never faced such an issue. It was deeply uncomfortable.”

Community Outrage and Protests

As news of the incident spread, members of the local Sikh community, led by representatives from the Shri Guru Singh Sabha, gathered outside the examination centre to register a formal protest.

The protesters argued that the act was a violation of constitutional rights and caused unnecessary “mental trauma” to the candidate. They pointed out that official examination guidelines generally do not mandate the removal of religious headgear, provided it is subjected to a respectful security check.

Administration’s Response

Following the demonstrations, senior administrative and police officials, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and the City Superintendent of Police (CSP), rushed to the spot to mediate.

• Official Apology: The Centre Superintendent, Subhash Kumawat, and SDM Prateek Sonkar met with the community representatives. Authorities expressed “deep regret” for the incident, attributing the staff’s actions to “ignorance” regarding the religious significance of the Dumala and the five Ks of the Sikh faith.
• Clarification: Officials maintained that while the turban was inspected, it was returned immediately. However, they admitted that the staff lacked the necessary sensitivity training for such procedures.
• Resolution: The administration has issued a formal apology to the community, and the protest was called off after assurances were given that such incidents would not be repeated.

A Recurring Pattern?

This incident follows a similar controversy last week in the state where two Class 8 students were allegedly asked to remove their hijabs during a board exam. Legal experts and activists are now calling for the Madhya Pradesh government to issue clearer, uniform guidelines to all examination centres to balance security needs with the protection of religious identities.