In yet another incident stirring religious and cultural sensitivities, a Brahmin student appearing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in Kalaburagi was allegedly compelled to remove his sacred thread (janivara) before being allowed to enter the examination center. The incident has triggered widespread protests and reignited the debate on religious freedom in examination settings.
The student, Shripada, arrived at St. Mary’s Examination Centre in Kalaburagi on May 3 to appear for the NEET exam. According to his statement, examination officials informed him that he would not be permitted inside unless he removed his janivara, a sacred thread traditionally worn by members of the Brahmin community as part of their religious identity. Reluctantly, Shripada removed the thread and handed it over to his father, Sudhir, before proceeding to write the exam.
This incident comes on the heels of similar controversies during recent CET (Common Entrance Test) exams in Bidar and Shivamogga, where students were allegedly made to remove religious symbols such as the janivara and mangalsutra. Those incidents had already sparked significant public outrage, particularly from the Brahmin community, and the latest episode in Kalaburagi has further intensified the backlash.
Upon learning of the NEET incident, members of the Brahmin Sabha and activists from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) gathered in protest outside the examination center. Demonstrators accused the state and examination authorities of repeatedly targeting symbols of Sanatana Dharma, claiming that such measures amount to religious discrimination. As a mark of protest, they burned tires near the exam venue and demanded accountability.
In a symbolic gesture, Shripada was ceremonially re-invested with the janivara in front of priests and community leaders at the same location where it was removed. Speaking to media , Shripada expressed emotional distress over the incident. “I removed the janivara unwillingly and wrote the exam in a disturbed mental state. Due to this emotional trauma, I even mistakenly entered the wrong registration number on the exam paper,” he said, appealing for another opportunity to retake the exam.
Following the exam, Shripada filed a formal complaint at the Station Bazaar Police Station in Kalaburagi, seeking action against the NEET staff responsible for enforcing the removal of his sacred thread.
The issue has taken on political overtones, with community leaders alleging that the consistent targeting of Hindu religious symbols in exams appears systematic and intentional. While authorities have cited security protocols as the rationale behind such measures, critics argue that these protocols disproportionately affect students from particular religious backgrounds.
With tensions rising, calls for uniform guidelines on handling religious attire and symbols during competitive exams have resurfaced. Legal experts and religious leaders have urged the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) and national testing bodies to review their practices in light of constitutional protections for religious freedom.
As of now, no official response has been issued by the NEET administration regarding the complaint filed. However, community organisations have vowed to escalate the issue until corrective measures are implemented and responsible officials are held accountable.
Former Union Minister Bhagwant Khooba has strongly condemned the incident where a student named Sripad Sudhir was reportedly made to remove his Janivar. He described the incident as unfortunate, particularly as it occurred shortly after a similar incident in Bidar district. Khuba alleged that the Congress government is insulting the Hindu community through what he perceives as communalism at examination centers and has called for action against the officials responsible for the incident.
The Bidar District Brahmin Mahasangh has also expressed strong condemnation of the event. Ramesh Kulkarni, the district president of the Mahasangh, demanded the immediate cancellation of the recognition of St. Mary’s College in Kalaburagi. He also called for the registration of an FIR against the examination staff and subsequent legal action. Furthermore, the Mahasangh demanded that the student Sripad be provided with psychological counselling, justice, and compensation from the government.
In response to the incident, the Mahasangh has urged the Education Department to promptly implement clear guidelines regarding religious freedom at examination centers. They have also called for the formation of a separate investigation committee to look into both the Bidar and Kalaburagi incidents. Finally, they have demanded the implementation of a program to train all examination staff on constitutional rights, emphasizing the importance of respecting religious practices within the examination environment.
