Image Courtesy: ndtv.com
Dami Kohli, a Pakistani Hindu national seems to have been caught in a political crossfire amid the ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Reports say that she had come to India from Sindh in Pakistan two years ago and is currently living in the Aanganwa refugee camp in Rajasthan. She was barred by the Rajasthan education department from appearing for her grade 12 board examinations for allegedly not submitting her eligibility certificate along with her application.
Republic World quoted her as saying, “I took admission in the school in 2018. I studied there for the whole year and passed the 11th standard. I have a mark-sheet as well. Only one month is left for the board exams and the school has given me a notice stating that I will not be allowed to appear for the examination.”
Activist Hindu Singh Sodha, the founder of Pak Visthapit Sangh who is well known for his work in resolving the issue of migrants said that Dami had completed her Grade 10 examinations from the Pakistan Board and had moved to India due to religious persecution. “I am really shocked to see that the Board has returned her form,” he said stating that he didn’t understand what specific formalities they needed.
However, there is no ‘anti-Hindu’ angle as some news outlets are painting it to be. The BJP has slammed Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot for being ‘anti-Hindu’ after he vehemently opposed the CAA-NPR-NRC from being implemented in the state and are trying to give this incident a communal angle when there isn’t any.
State Education Minister Govind Singh Dotasara said, “She completed 10th Standard from the Pakistani Board and now wants to appear for Standard 12 Board exams in Rajasthan. We have written a letter to the Pakistani embassy seeking information about their syllabus. We are comparing our syllabus to theirs.”
“If we get a positive response from them, we will definitely allow her. Even if we get a negative response from them, we will change the rules and allow her,” he added.
The New Indian Express reported her as saying, “After the Board had refused permission, I was really depressed. But now I am delighted that the government is trying to find a solution so that I can appear for the 12th Board Exams and pursue my dream of becoming a doctor.”
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