Daijiworld Media Network - Kalaburagi
Kalaburagi, May 5: Tensions flared in Kalaburagi after two examination staff were arrested for allegedly compelling a student to remove his sacred thread ahead of the NEET-UG examination held on May 4. The incident has triggered outrage among sections of the Hindu community, led to police action, and spurred legal proceedings.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), conducted annually by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is mandatory for admission to undergraduate medical courses across India. The controversy unfolded at St Mary PU College, one of the designated NEET centres in Kalaburagi.
According to Police Commissioner S D Sharanappa, an FIR was registered late Sunday night based on a complaint by student Sripad Patil. Patil alleged that two staff members at the exam centre forced him to remove his sacred thread (janivara/janeu) before entering the hall, causing him mental distress and violating his religious sentiments.
The accused, identified as Sharana Gowda and Ganesh, were employed by a private agency overseeing exam operations. They were booked under Section 298 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to deliberate acts intended to hurt religious feelings. Both were taken into custody by the Station Bazar Police, and further investigation is underway.
As the news spread, members of the Brahmin community gathered in protest outside the exam centre. Demonstrators performed a ritual before returning the sacred thread to the student once he completed the examination.
Speaking in Raichur on Monday, Karnataka’s Minister for Science, Technology, and Minor Irrigation, N S Bose Raju, acknowledged the incident and said that despite clear instructions from the government, such actions continue to occur. He confirmed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had ordered strict measures against those involved.
This is not the first instance of controversy surrounding religious symbols in exam halls. On April 25, the state BJP filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, alleging discrimination against Hindu students during the Common Entrance Test (CET). They claimed students wearing sacred threads were turned away, while Muslim girls wearing hijab were allowed to sit for the test.
Adding legal weight to the protest, the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasangh filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Karnataka High Court on Saturday, demanding accountability and a re-examination for affected students. The court has agreed to hear the matter on June 9.
The episode has once again sparked debate around religious rights and uniformity in exam guidelines, with political, religious, and student bodies weighing in on the issue.