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India Today
28-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Railways' exam rule on mangalsutra, sacred thread stirs fresh row in Karnataka
A fresh controversy broke out over the Railway Department's Nursing Superintendent entrance examination, scheduled from April 28 to 30, after admit cards issued to candidates included instructions to remove religious symbols such as the mangalsutra (sacred marriage chain) and janivara (sacred thread) before entering the exam to the admit card for the examination, candidates are prohibited from wearing any ornaments, including mangalsutra, earrings, nose pins, rings, bracelets, and janivara while appearing for the computer-based controversy follows closely on allegations during Karnataka's Common Entrance Test (CET) earlier this month, where similar complaints were made about Hindu students being asked to remove sacred threads, intensifying concerns around the treatment of religious symbols during public examinations. The guidelines, aimed at ensuring security and preventing malpractice, also ban mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, cameras, watches, belts, handbags, wallets, and electronic gadgets inside the examination instruction regarding religious symbols has led to sharp reactions from Hindu organisations, who argue that it infringes upon religious freedoms. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded an immediate withdrawal of the order on the admit card for the examination to be held at the Manail Srinivas Nayak Besant Vidya Kendra in Bondel, Mangaluru, saying: 'This action will hurt the religious sentiments of crores of Hindus. In a country where Hindus are the majority, it is impossible to tolerate such anti-Hindu policies.'advertisementA social media user, Sharan Kumar Pumpwell, also voiced his opposition. Along with images of the admit card on Facebook, Kumar criticised the move as 'an anti-religious stance.'He appealed to authorities, including the District Collector and local MPs, to intervene and ensure that Hindu candidates are allowed to write the exam without being forced to compromise on their religious practices, and tagged Captain Brijesh Chowta, Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha restrictions, meanwhile, seem to be in line with standard procedures for competitive exams. As printed on the admit card, as part of security measures, candidates are required to undergo Aadhaar-linked biometric verification, and any items that could conceal identity or facilitate unfair means are barred. The instructions also specify that biometric registration, frisking, and document verification will be strictly have been reminded that they must report well in advance to complete verification formalities, and those failing to comply with the guidelines risk disqualification from the examination Hindu groups insist that items like the janivara and mangalsutra are integral parts of personal faith and identity, and banning them during exams amounts to a violation of religious rights.
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
VHP objects to Railway Recruitment Board's instructions to remove ‘mangalasutra, religious symbols' to appear for Nursing Superintendent examination
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has objected to Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), Bengaluru, banning 'mangala sutra and religious symbols' to appear for its Nursing Superintendent examination. Sharan Kumar Pumpwell, South Karnataka Joint Secretary, VHP, in a social media post said on Sunday (April 27, 2025) that in the instructions to candidates appearing for the examination, as mentioned in the admission letter, the RRB said that 'bangles, religious symbols, ornaments, mangala sutra' will be among other materials (which have been specified) that 'are not allowed inside the test centre.' In his post Mr. Pumpwell interpreted that 'religious symbols' also included 'janivara' ('sacred thread'). 'Such an anti-religious stand is not tolerable,' Mr. Pumpwell said. The Joint Secretary appealed to Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta and Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan to intervene and allow candidates to appear for the examination without hurting their religious sentiments. The examination in Mangaluru will be held on April 29 at Manel Srinivas Nayak Institute of Management at Bondel, he said. Meanwhile, in a release on Sunday here, the VHP said that students had been made to remove their 'janivara' in the recently held Common Entrance Test (CET) in Karnataka, which had hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. Now, making Hindu women to remove their 'mangala sutra' and wipe out their 'sindhura', and men to remove their 'janivara' to appear for the RRB's Nursing Superintendent Examination will again hit the religious sentiments of Hindus. Such instructions to candidates is not correct, Mr. Pumpwell said.
