Karnataka: A wave of outrage and disbelief has gripped the state of Karnataka as disturbing allegations emerged from multiple CET (Common Entrance Test) exam centres, where Brahmin students were reportedly forced to remove or cut off their janeu—the sacred thread worn by followers of the Brahminical tradition—before being allowed to enter the examination halls.
The controversy comes at a time when social media is already abuzz with widespread criticism of filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, whose recent comments about Brahmins have sparked a national outcry. Against this backdrop, the incidents reported from Shivamogga, Bidar, Gadag, and Dharwad have added fuel to the fire, raising serious concerns over religious freedom and institutional overreach.
According to the students and their families, several exam centers in Karnataka subjected Brahmin examinees to humiliating checks. In Shivamogga, a student claimed that his janeu was desecrated during a security check. Following this, similar reports came from three other districts—Bidar, Gadag, and Dharwad—where students alleged, they were either compelled to remove their janeu or were flatly denied entry into the exam hall for refusing to do so.
In Bidar, a student was reportedly barred from writing the exam. The matter escalated when the student’s family filed a formal complaint, prompting the district’s Deputy Commissioner to seek an explanation from the concerned authorities. Following the probe, the principal and a second-grade assistant of Sai Spoorti PU College, operated under the Sai Deep Education and Charitable Trust, were dismissed from their positions.
One of the affected students in Dharwad recounted his experience to local reporters. “After what happened to me at the gate, I couldn’t concentrate on the exam. I was mentally disturbed and humiliated. It was a violation of my religious identity,” he said.
In another shocking instance, it was alleged that invigilators at centres in Gadag and Dharwad cut off the janeu and threw it into a dustbin, an act that many are now calling a blatant form of religious discrimination.
These incidents have not only enraged the Brahmin community but have also sparked wider public discourse about religious sensitivity, exam protocols, and human rights. Social media platforms have been flooded with reactions, with many demanding strict actions against the culprits and clearer guidelines to ensure that religious symbols are respected during public examinations.
The controversy has gained further traction due to the parallel uproar surrounding director Anurag Kashyap’s recent statements on Brahmins. Lyricist Manoj Muntashir has openly challenged Kashyap, calling his comments offensive and unacceptable, further fueling the national debate.
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is now under pressure to issue a clarification. While authorities often advise against wearing specific religious attire or accessories for security reasons, the alleged forcible removal of a religious symbol like the janeu—and that too without consent—has raised legal and ethical concerns.
Legal experts and social commentators have pointed out that any violation of personal faith, especially in a public space, must be addressed with seriousness. Several civil rights groups are calling for a thorough investigation into the incidents and are demanding the establishment of religious-sensitivity training for staff deployed at examination centres.
As the controversy deepens, what remains at the center of the storm is a simple yet powerful question: Can the pursuit of standardized examination security come at the cost of one’s religious identity and dignity? Until authorities offer clear answers and accountability, the issue is unlikely to die down.
