A controversy has erupted in Karnataka’s Bidar district after a student was allegedly barred from taking the CET exam for refusing to remove his janeu (sacred thread). The incident took place on April 17 at the Sai Sphoorthi PU College exam centre, leading to the immediate suspension of the college principal Dr. Chandrashekhar Biradar and staff member Satish Pawar.
The student, Suchivrat Kulkarni, claimed he was denied entry into the exam hall after he declined to remove the sacred thread, a symbol of his religious identity. His mother, Neeta Kulkarni, condemned the incident and demanded either a re-exam or admission to a reputed college for her son.
Meanwhile, police reported similar complaints from Adichunchanagiri PU College, where three students were allegedly asked to remove their janeu. One of them refused but was still allowed to write the exam.
College authorities at the Bidar centre distanced themselves from the incident, stating the premises were merely provided for conducting the examination. Staff claimed they had only requested students to remove kashi dhara (sacred wrist threads), not the janeu. An official investigation into the matter is currently underway.
