Bengaluru: A controversy has erupted during the CET examination in the city after allegations surfaced that students were forced to remove their sacred thread (Janivara) at an exam centre in Madivala. The incident reportedly took place at Krupanidhi College, triggering protests by parents and raising serious concerns over exam conduct guidelines.
According to parents, at least four students were asked to remove the sacred thread before being allowed to enter the examination hall. Angered by the incident, parents staged a protest outside the college and also lodged a complaint at the Madivala Police Station.
One of the affected students, Anand, recounted the experience, stating that during security checks, invigilators allegedly inspected students and insisted that the thread be removed. “They told us that if we did not remove it, we would not be allowed to write the exam,” he said, adding that students had no access to phones to inform their parents at that moment.
The incident has sparked wider debate, especially since a similar controversy had occurred last year, following which the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) had issued clear directions. As per the guidelines, students wearing sacred threads or similar religious items should not be denied entry, while restrictions apply only to ornaments like nose rings and certain accessories.
Despite these clarifications, parents have alleged that the rules were misinterpreted or ignored by the exam centre staff. They have termed the incident as excessive action by invigilators and questioned how such instructions were enforced despite clear guidelines.
A parent of one of the students, identified as Anirudh Rao, has formally filed a complaint. Meanwhile, authorities have stated that they are yet to receive an official complaint, even as parents claim that emails were sent immediately after the incident.
The episode has reignited concerns over student rights, religious sensitivity, and uniform implementation of exam rules, with parents demanding strict action against those responsible.
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