Karnataka NEET Controversy: Protest Erupts In Kalaburagi Over NEET Candidate Being Asked To Remove 'Janeu' Sacred Thread

Karnataka NEET Controversy: A controversy unfolded outside a NEET exam centre in Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Karnataka, on Sunday after a student was allegedly asked to remove his Janeu a sacred thread traditionally worn by Brahmins before being permitted to enter the examination hall.

Incident at St. Mary’s School Exam Centre

The incident took place at St. Mary’s School, which served as one of the NEET examination centres. According to the student’s father, his son was preparing to attend the exam when he was stopped by staff members due to wearing the sacred thread.

"The child had gone in for counselling about half an hour ago. What happened was that the child had a sacred thread (called 'Janivaar' or 'Janeu') worn according to our religion, and someone from the staff told him to remove it before entering. The child was crying and told us that he had to remove the thread to be allowed inside. He came outside crying and gave it to me (his father). I was standing outside the gate. I asked to go inside but was not allowed," the student's father said, as reported by news agency ANI.

The family stated that the student was ultimately permitted to take the exam, but only after he removed the sacred thread.

Community Outrage and Protest Outside Centre

The event triggered a strong reaction from members of the Brahmin community, who gathered outside the centre in protest. Advocate Raghvendra Kulkarni, expressed anger, said, "He had come to appear for the NEET exam here at St. Mary's College in Gulbarga. He came here at 1:30 in the morning. When he went inside for the NEET exam, the staff there told him that, as per their rules, students wearing religious threads or symbols (like the Janeu worn by Hindus in rural communities) must remove them to be allowed in for the exam."

"They said if they do not remove them, they will not be allowed to sit for the exam. Hearing this, the candidate started crying and came outside and inform his father. After that, the staff allowed him inside after he removed the sacred thread. This is an insult to Janeu-wearing Hindus," he added.

Blaming the Karnataka government, Kulkarni accused the authorities of allowing such practices that hurt religious sentiments. "The Karnataka government is responsible for this. All Janeu-wearing people and Hindus are boycotting this government. We are requesting that the staff and management involved in this incident be suspended," he said, as reported by ANI.

Protesters warned of further legal steps, including filing a First Information Report (FIR) against the staff and institution.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Responds to NEET 'Janeu' Controversy in Kalaburagi

Addressing the incident in Kalaburagi where a NEET candidate was allegedly asked to remove his Janeu before the exam, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi stated, "NEET is being conducted by central govt..we have never said to remove 'Janeu'...we had instructed to check properly...this has happened only in one centre. FIR has been registered, I demand state govt to take appropriate action."