Latest news with #Janeu
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
NEET candidate asked to remove 'Janeu' in Karnataka's Kalaburagi, protests erupt
A NEET candidate in Karnataka's Kalaburagi was allegedly asked to remove his 'Janeu' (sacred thread), before entering the examination hall on Sunday, triggering widespread protests and accusations of religious insensitivity. The incident took place at the St. Mary's School examination centre, where the student was appearing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), a highly competitive exam for medical admissions, news agency PTI reported. According to the boy's father, the student was brought to tears after being asked to take off the Janeu by exam staff. 'My son had gone in for counselling when someone from the staff told him to remove the sacred thread. He came out crying and gave it to me. He said they wouldn't let him enter unless he removed it,' the father said according to PTI. 'I requested the staff to let me inside, but they refused.' The student was eventually allowed to sit for the exam, but only after removing the thread, the family said. (Also Read: Brahmin group protests outside NEET exam centre over removal of sacred thread in Karnataka's Kalaburagi) The matter quickly escalated into a protest outside the school, with members of the Brahmin community and local leaders gathering to condemn the incident. Protesters accused the exam authorities of violating religious freedom and demanded action against the staff involved. Advocate Raghvendra Kulkarni, who joined the demonstration, called the action 'an insult to Janeu-wearing Hindus.' He said, 'The student had travelled here at 1.30 in the morning to write a national-level exam. But the staff enforced a rule that barred entry to anyone wearing religious threads or symbols. This is not just unfair, it is humiliating.' Kulkarni squarely blamed the Karnataka government for the controversy, warning of continued protests and legal action. 'We hold the state government accountable. If swift action is not taken, we will file an FIR against the staff and the institution,' he said. He also claimed that the protest had widespread community support and that more demonstrations could follow. As of Sunday evening, there was no official statement from the exam centre or the NEET organising body regarding the incident. Recently, an FIR was registered against the CET exam conducting officer at Adichunchanagiri School in Sharavathinagara, Shivamogga district, after allegations surfaced that students were asked to remove their 'Janeu' before appearing for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (CET). The case was registered based on a complaint filed by one Nataraj Bhagavath, and includes charges under Sections 115(2), 299, 351(1), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, read with Section 3(5). (Also Read: 'Brain spilled out': Chilling details of Bengaluru lawyer death) (With PTI inputs)
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Brahmin community protests in Kalaburagi over removal of students' sacred thread at NEET exam centre
Members of the Brahmin community staged a protest outside a National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam centre in Kalaburagi, demanding accountability after some students of the community were asked to remove their 'sacred thread' (Janivara) before entering the exam hall. #WATCH | Karnataka: Members of the Brahmin community protest outside a NEET examination centre, located at St. Mary's School in Kalaburagi, after a candidate - Shripad Patil was made to remove his 'Janeu' (sacred thread) and then allowed to take the exam. — ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 This incident comes close on the heels of a similar one during the Common Entrance Test held for engineering and other vocational courses on April 16, where the sacred threads of Brahmin boys were also removed. Following the incident, the State Government initiated action against the officials involved, including registration of a case. It also issued directions to prevent such occurrences in the future. However, on Sunday (May 4, 2025), the Brahmin candidates were either asked to remove the sacred thread or had it cut before entering the exam hall. Enraged over this, hundreds of community members gathered outside the NEET exam centre, raised slogans and staged a sit-in demonstration. Protesters accused the government of 'failing' to enforce its own instructions and repeatedly humiliating the community.
United News of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Rly exam ban on religious symbols must be rolled back: Dy CM
Bengaluru, Apr 28 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday demanded the withdrawal of the order prohibiting candidates from wearing religious symbols at railway examination centres, stating that it could create unnecessary anger among the public. Speaking to reporters here, Shivakumar said, "When it's a religious thing like a 'Mangalsutra' or a 'Janeu' (sacred thread), they can check it if required, but removing them is incorrect. We are clearly saying that any such religious symbols, earrings, mangalsutra, Janeu, or a hip band, they can check it. It is not wrong." Referring to concerns raised in the past over candidates allegedly using small devices concealed in their ears, Shivakumar said, "In the past, there have been some issues where people kept a small device in their ears. It is not right. But the current order must be taken back." "I think that anything that creates anger among the people must be removed. I demand that such rules be removed," he added. The directive, issued by the Railway Recruitment Boards ahead of their examinations, had triggered protests from various quarters, with candidates and religious groups expressing concern over its implications. UNI BDN ARN
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Union Minister instructs Railway exam board to rescind rule mandating students remove religious symbols
Bengaluru (Karnataka): Union Minister of State for Railway Ministry, V Somanna has instructed the Railway Recruitment Board to remove the rule mandate students who are appearing for an exam to remove religious symbols on them, such as earrings, mangalsutra, Janeu, hip bands or others, BJP MP Brijesh Chowta said on Monday. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" The Karnataka Government has also taken exception to the rule, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stating that if items need to be checked, then they can be, but forcing students to remove them is wrong. Brijesh Chowta, the BJP MP, had informed in a post on X that Union Minister Somanna had intervened and asked authorities to "not indulge in any such practices." He stated that students applying for the position of Nursing Superintendent at Indian Railways were instructed to remove their religious symbols and ornaments, such as the Mangalsutra and Janivara. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Articles Vally — CaptBrijesh (@CaptBrijesh) "Glad to inform that, as we brought it to his attention, our Union MoS Shri V Somanna has intervened and instructed authorities not to indulge In any such practices that require those appearing for the examination for the post of Nursing Superintendent of Indian Railways to remove religious symbols and ornaments like the Mangalsutra and Janivara as was said to be required by the letter of admission," Chowta wrote in a post on X. Live Events Meanwhile, Deputy CM Shivakumar also said, "When it's a religious thing like a 'Mangalsutra' or a 'Janeu' (sacred thread), they can check it if required, but removing them is not correct." He emphasised that there have been previous cases of students who have concealed a small device in their ears, but he demanded that the order be rescinded. "We are clearly saying that any such religious symbols, earrings, mangalsutra, Janeu, or a hip band, they can check it. It is not wrong. However, in the past, there have been instances where people kept a small device in their ears. It is not right. The order must be taken back... I believe that anything that incites anger among the people should be removed. I demand that such rules be removed," Shivakumar added. The rules printed in the Railway Recruitment Board's exam letter stated that certain "banned items" like bangles, religious symbols, ornaments, mangal sutra, belts, bracelets, and handbags are not allowed in the exam centre. The rule also prohibited the use of electronic gadgets, including mobile phones, pagers, watches, earphones, Bluetooth-enabled devices, microphones, health bands, calculators, and more.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar opposes ban on religious symbols in railway exam centers
NEW DELHI: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has opposed the order prohibiting religious symbols in railway exam centers, stating that while checking religious items is acceptable, their removal is inappropriate. Shivakumar emphasized that authorities can inspect religious symbols but shouldn't require their removal. "When it's a religious thing like a 'Mangalsutra' or a 'Janeu' (sacred thread), they can check it if required, but removing them is not correct. We are clearly saying that any such religious symbols, earrings, mangalsutra, Janeu, or a hip band, they can check it. It is not wrong. But, in the past, there have been some issues where people kept a small device in their ears. It is not right. It (the order) must be taken back... I think that anything that creates anger among the people must be removed. I demand that such rules be removed," said DK Shivakumar. The Karnataka High Court on Saturday issued notices to the state government and Karnataka Examinations Authority following a Public Interest Litigation that alleged CET exam centers in Bidar, Shivamogga, and Dharwad districts forced candidates to remove their sacred threads. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest $200 in Amazon without buying stocks to earn a second salary Marketsall Sign Up Undo Senior advocate S Sriranga, representing the petitioner Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, informed the court that candidates were mistreated during the math exam on April 17. The petition claimed that students who refused to remove their sacred threads were denied entry to examination halls, and sought a re-examination for affected candidates. The advocate argued that KEA officials violated constitutional rights related to education, religious practice, and admission to educational institutions. An FIR has been filed in the case following the PIL submission. The petitioner has requested the court to establish clear guidelines for exam conduct and frisking procedures by KEA officials. The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for June 9.
