A major controversy has erupted in Karnataka after several Brahmin students were allegedly asked to remove their sacred thread before being allowed to write the Common Entrance Test (CET) at examination centres in Shivamogga and Bidar districts. Meanwhile, according to The Hindu report, Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner Gurudatta Hegade said that on verification of CCTV footage at the examination centre, it was found that nobody had cut the ‘sacred thread’ of any student, as is being reported widely.
The Shivamogga District Brahmin Mahasabha has filed a police complaint alleging that the staff at one centre even cut the sacred threads before permitting students to enter the exam hall. “There is no rule requiring students to remove their sacred threads. This is an insult to our community," said Narataj Bhagavat, president of the Mahasabha, who lodged the complaint at Doddapet Police Station.
However, the DCP said that one student had voluntarily shown his thread and removed it before going into the hall, “He asked the home guard at the entrance if he was allowed to wear the thread, to which the guard said ‘no’, and the student removed the thread himself. Following this, when the guard asked another student to remove the thread, he refused to do so and the guard did not allow him inside. But when the principal came to the spot and asked why the student was outside. After he learnt about the reason, he said that there was no rule to remove the ‘sacred thread’ and allowed the student to write the examination.”
State Home Minister G Parameshwara called it a “serious mistake,” while Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar promised strict action if the allegations are confirmed. “We must respect all traditions. Such acts have no place in the education system,” he said. Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, under whose home district the incident occurred, also assured action, stating no official had the authority to enforce such rules. "I will discuss this with concerned departments," he said.
Opposition leaders slammed the Congress-led government. BJP leader R Ashoka accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of promoting an “anti-Hindu” mindset. “Brahmin, Maratha, and Vaishya communities wear the Janivara. Their sentiments have been deeply hurt,” Ashoka said, demanding an apology from the CM.
BJP state president BY Vijayendra called the incident "intellectual perversion" and alleged that a student’s dreams of becoming an engineer were crushed by such "inhuman" conduct. Hindu organisations have also demanded street protests, while community bodies such as the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Maha Sabha have sought immediate disciplinary action against the officials involved.
(With IANS inputs)