Karnataka BJP, Congress trade barbs after Railway entrance exam bans ‘janivara'
In wake of the fresh controversy regarding the Railway Department's Nursing Superintendent entrance examinations, where candidates were instructed through the admit cards to remove religious symbols like the mangalsutra (sacred marriage chain) and janivara (sacred thread) before entering the examination hall.The instructions — which also prohibit ornaments such as earrings, nose pins, rings, and bracelets — triggered political outrage, with state leaders from both the Congress and BJP weighing in.advertisementA similar controversy occurred earlier this month during Karnataka's Common Entrance Test (CET), where Hindu students were reportedly asked to remove sacred threads. At the time, state leaders, including Congress's Ramalinga Reddy, had strongly opposed the move.
'I am the first one who opposed it when it happened in Karnataka,' said Minister Ramalinga Reddy.'I wrote to the Education Minister insisting that the central government modify the rules and regulations. Back then, the BJP accused the Siddaramaiah government of being anti-Hindu. Those who made the mistake were suspended. Now, when it happens under the central government's watch, why are these BJP leaders silent?'Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also criticised the Centre. 'If they want to check the mangalsutra and janivara for security reasons, let them check. But asking people to remove symbols of religious and cultural belief is not acceptable,' he said, speaking at his Sadashivanagar residence. 'BJP says one thing and does another. It is not correct that the Centre has disallowed these symbols in Railway examinations. They should revoke this ban. People should oppose such measures.'advertisementShivakumar added that while it is reasonable to inspect religious items for hidden electronic devices, a complete ban is unjustified. 'Ear studs, nose studs, mangalsutra, janivara, bindi and ududaara are all religious symbols. Checking is fine, banning is not,' he said.Senior BJP leaders also spoke up on the matter. BJP leader and former minister V Somanna said the issue had been taken up with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and that clarity had been provided.'Today, I discussed this issue with the Honourable Union Minister for Railways and senior officials from the Railway Department. I am pleased to report that this confusion has now been resolved,' Somanna said in a statement. 'Clear instructions have been issued ensuring that candidates wearing items representing their culture, such as the janivara and mangalsutra, will not face any hindrance during the examination.'Somanna urged candidates to follow the examination rules while reassuring them there would be no restrictions on culturally significant items.Karnataka BJP leader R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, confirmed, 'We have spoken with the minister. Now, only the Centre's restrictions apply, and if anything wrong is done, action will be taken.'BJP State President BY Vijayendra also said that after raising the matter with Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, it was clear there had been a miscommunication. 'He [Joshi] was not aware of such developments and has said such things should not happen,' Vijayendra stated.Tune InMust Watch
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