NEET shocker: Four teachers suspended for allegedly telling Kerala student to remove bra

The woman – who didn’t want to be identified – told HT she was wearing a bra with a steel buckle that caused a metal detector installed outside the examination centre to beep, when she reached at 9.20 am on Sunday.

Four female teachers, who reportedly forced a 17-year-old student in north Kerala’s Kannur to remove her bra as part of stringent measures during the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET), were suspended by school authorities on Tuesday amid widespread protests.

Agitated parents show cut out portions of their children’s dress outside a school in Kannur, Kerala. (HT Photo)

The state human rights commission sought a report from the district police chief on the Sunday incident at TISK Higher Secondary School in Payyanur. Many youth organisations staged a protest march outside the school and the issue also figured in the state assembly as members cutting across political parties condemned it.

“Four teachers have been suspended and the school management has constituted a two-member panel to enquire the whole incident,” a school spokesperson said.

The girl, who didn’t want to be identified, said she was wearing a bra with a steel buckle that caused a metal detector installed outside the examination centre to beep when she reached at 9.20am on Sunday. With 10 minutes to go for the test, she said she was asked to remove her inner wear.

Authorities deployed huge police teams, physically frisked candidates and ordered a strict dress code to check any attempts of cheating and irregularities during the all-India exam conducted in more than 100 cities. Dark-coloured clothed, full-sleeve shirts, closed shoes and big buttons were also banned.

Many students criticised the measures that they say has turned examination centres into a war zone and caused unnecessary hassles. Females students complained that adamant officials cut their long sleeves with scissors.