Ahmedabad: As the NEET re-examination concluded peacefully across Gujarat on Sunday under extensive security arrangements, video clips emerged of a debate at a Vastrapur centre over what some parents said were inconsistent rules on religious markers.The videos show some parents saying that several candidates were told to remove threads, necklaces, and other items considered expressions of faith, while — they allege — a candidate wearing a hijab was permitted to take the test.In one of the clips, Neha Vyas, a parent of a candidate from Thaltej, said that families had cooperated fully with the examination rules to avoid any inconvenience to students. “We ensured our children followed all instructions, including removing religious threads and necklaces,” she said. “We are only seeking clarity and uniformity in the implementation of the guidelines.”Another parent said the issue was less about a particular community and more about ensuring that all candidates are treated equally. “Students are already under immense pressure because of the re-examination,” Kapila Shah from Girdharnagar says in the video. “Any confusion regarding what is permitted and what is not creates more anxiety.”However, officials maintained that frisking and verification procedures were carried out in accordance with the National Testing Agency guidelines and were intended solely to prevent malpractice.Security personnel were instructed to balance examination integrity with the comfort and dignity of candidates, officials said.Members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and AIMIM reached the Vastrapur examination centre after news of the debate spread. Police detained three activists as a preventive measure and dispersed others to prevent any escalation. Members of another political group were told to leave the area.The re-examination was conducted after the cancellation of the May 3 test following allegations of a paper leak. On Sunday, 79,411 candidates took the exam at 211 centres across Gujarat. Authorities deployed drones, cyber surveillance teams, and a heavy police presence to ensure the smooth conduct of the test.State police officers said their focus throughout the day remained on ensuring a fair, transparent, and peaceful examination process. The events at the Vastrapur centre have, however, renewed the discussion on the need for clearer and more uniformly communicated guidelines.Authorities pass the test*NEET-UG 2026 re-examination conducted at 211 centres across Gujarat*Over 79,400 candidates took the test*Security included drones, cyber surveillance, and heavy police deployment*A debate arose at an Ahmedabad centre in Vastrapur over implementation of the dress code*Some parents alleged inconsistency in the enforcement of restrictions on religious markers*Parents called for clarity and uniform application of the guidelines*Officials said procedures followed NTA rules and aimed to prevent malpractice*Police intervened after activists reached the examination centre at Vastrapur*Three members of a group were detained as a preventive measure
