Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 26: The Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasangh has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Karnataka high court, condemning the removal of sacred threads (Janivara/Janeu) from students during the Common Entrance Test (CET) across the state.
The organisation has also demanded a re-examination for the affected students. The High Court has accepted the petition and scheduled the hearing for June 9.
Senior counsel S. Sriranga, representing the petitioners, argued that multiple incidents of students being compelled to remove their sacred threads were reported from various centres, calling the actions unconstitutional and a violation of the students' fundamental rights.
The controversy emerged during the CET held on April 16, conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) for undergraduate admissions in engineering, medical, and dental courses. Incidents were reported in Shivamogga, Bidar, and Dharwad, where students were allegedly forced to cut their sacred threads before being allowed to enter exam centres.
In one case from Bidar, a student was reportedly denied permission to sit for the exam after refusing to remove the sacred thread.
Responding to public outrage, the Congress-led Karnataka government apologised for the incidents and ordered the suspension of the principal and staff responsible. The government also assured that justice would be provided to the affected students.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka BJP has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the issue. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka highlighted in his complaint that while Hindu students were denied entry due to wearing sacred threads, Muslim girls wearing hijabs were allowed to write the exam, alleging "unlawful and discriminatory" practices.
Ashoka urged the NHRC to take prompt action, stressing that such violations jeopardise the dignity, rights, and future of young students.
The controversy has sparked a wider debate on religious freedoms, individual rights, and exam security protocols across Karnataka.