[SSB Exam] Candidates Declared Medically Unfit For Having Religious Tattoo On Right Forearm: Allahabad HC Seeks Centre's Reply

The Bench of Justice Siddhartha Varma directed the Centre's and SSB's counsel to seek instructions in this regard and the matter was posted for further hearing on February 23.

The plea in a brief and contentions raised

Avneesh Kumar and 2 others appeared in the examination for the post of Head Constable (Ministerial) in Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and they qualified for the typing test also.

Further, when the medical examination was done on 13.11.2021, they were found physically fit but on account of certain tattoos on a certain part of their hands, they were denied employment.

Essentially, the petitioners were found to be medically fit for an appointment but declared unfit due to religious tattoo marks on their right-hand forearm. The review medical test of the petitioners was conducted on 17.11.2021 and allegedly, without giving them an opportunity to cure the tattoo on their right-hand forearm, they were declared to be unfit on the ground of tattoos.

It was further submitted by the petitioners that the tattoos are undersized and only a religious symbol and after they were declared unfit in the review medical examination, the applicants got treatment for removal of tattoo from their right-hand forearm.

Further, after the removal of the tattoo, they made representations before the respondents, however, to date no action on the representation of the petitioners has been taken by the respondents, and therefore, they moved the instant plea before the High Court.

Significantly, as per the guidelines issued by the Indian Army pertaining to "tattoo policy for candidates appearing for SSB interview with permanent body tattoo(s)", non-offensive, small tattoos are allowed on the forearms of 'both' the hands, however, as per medical guidelines issued by Additional Director General, Medical(SSB), such a tattoo is only allowed on the left forearm.

Primarily, the petitioners contended that even though there was no such rule was mentioned in the advertisement issued by the SSB for the Head Constable post, still they got their tattoos removed after the first medical examination, however, they were still denied the opportunity for a re-medical examination.

Against this backdrop, having heard both the parties, the Court directed the Centre's and SSB's counsel to seek instructions in this regard and the matter was posted for further hearing on February 23.