A controversy has erupted in Karnataka after a case was registered against officials at Adichunchanagiri PU College, a CET (Common Entrance Test) exam centre, for allegedly asking Brahmin students to remove their ‘Janivaras’ (sacred threads) before entering the examination hall.
FIR registered
The case was registered on Friday following a complaint by Natraj Bhagavath, a representative of the Karnataka Brahmin Sabha. The police confirmed that the FIR includes multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 115 (2) for voluntarily causing hurt, 299 for outraging religious feelings, 351 (1) for criminal intimidation, 352 for intentional insult, and 3(5) for common intention.
The complainant alleged that despite alerting the district administration, no legal action had initially been taken. He claimed the act hurt the sentiments of both the students involved and the wider Brahmin community.
According to police, the incident took place on Wednesday, when three students were allegedly asked by security staff at the exam centre to remove their sacred threads. While one student reportedly refused and was eventually allowed to appear for the exam, the other two removed their ‘Janivaras’ before entering the hall.
The incident led to widespread backlash, with Karnataka’s Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar assured that appropriate action would be taken against those responsible after a detailed investigation.
What did the exam centre say?
Preliminary inquiries revealed that college authorities claimed no involvement in conducting the CET exam, stating that only the premises were provided for the test. Examination staff, meanwhile, denied asking students to remove their sacred threads, claiming instead they requested only the removal of wrist threads (Kashi dharas) as per exam protocol. Police said a detailed inquiry is underway to verify the allegations.
BJP, Congress trade barbs
The issue also became a flashpoint in ongoing political rivalries. BJP State President BY Vijayendra accused the Congress government of neglecting development in Bidar district while asserting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global leadership. In response, Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the BJP for failing to develop “Kalyan Karnataka” and ignoring regional infrastructure demands.