New Delhi: At least five Brahmin students were allegedly forced to remove their sacred thread (janeu) at a college in Bengaluru during the CET (Common Entrance Test) held there on Friday. The incident sparked a massive controversy with the BJP hitting out at the ruling Congress over the incident and calling it an anti-Hindu” party.
The students were allegedly asked to remove the sacred thread before entering the hall to write the exam at Krupanidhi College, at Madivala, which had turned into a CET centre. The invigilators present at the examination hall of the college allegedly asked the student to remove their sacred thread if they wanted to sit for the exam.
Action against college professors
Based on students’ complaints, the police registered a case under sections related to disturbing communal harmony under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The college also suspended three professors who were in charge of examination checking. The invigilator has also been suspended. Meanwhile, the government ordered a probe.
“When I went to the examination centre, the teachers got my earring removed. I can still understand that because no metal is allowed, but they also forced me to get the sacred thread removed from my body,” a student alleged, PTI reported.
Some students also alleged that the invigilators asked them to remove red and yellow sacred thread (kalava/mauli) tied to the wrist before entering the centre.
Last year, a similar incident had happened in Shivamogga, Bidar and some other places in the state which prompted the government at the time to issue an order making clear the candidates would not be asked to remove the sacred thread during the CET.
State Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar had then assured parents that action would be taken against those responsible. The chief minister had also instructed authorities not to ask students to remove the thread last year.
What govt said
Reacting to the recent incident, Sudhakar said that they have received a letter from the institution stating that they have suspended three individuals.
“I am personally treating this matter with utmost seriousness. I have already issued instructions to our departmental officials,” he told reporters in Bengaluru. He also said that from next year onwards, colleges will be informed in advance about the issue, including the punishment that can be imposed within the legal framework.
Opposition attacks Cong govt
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, slammed the Congress government, saying its “anti-Hindu” acts, such as forcing the removal of ‘Mangalasutra’ and ‘Janivara’, are continuing unabated.
#WATCH | Bengaluru: Karnataka LoP and BJP leader R. Ashoka, and BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, reached the Police Commissioner’s office demanding action after students appearing for the CET exam were allegedly forced to remove their sacred threads.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya says, “… There… pic.twitter.com/BrAv44BDbC
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2026
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also attacked the Congress government and said no student, regardless of faith, should face harassment before such exams.