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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivkumar, has criticised the order banning religious symbols at railway exam centres. He said that while it is acceptable for authorities to inspect religious items, asking candidates to remove them is inappropriate. Shivakumar emphasized that religious symbols can be checked but should not be removed.
"When it's a religious thing like a 'Mangalsutra' or a 'Janeu' (sacred thread), they can check it if required, but removing them is not correct. We are clearly saying that any such religious symbols, earrings, mangalsutra, Janeu, or a hip band, they can check it. It is not wrong. But, in the past, there have been some issues where people kept a small device in their ears. It is not right. It (the order) must be taken back... I think that anything that creates anger among the people must be removed. I demand that such rules be removed," said DK Shivakumar.
The Karnataka High Court on Saturday issued notices to the state government and the Karnataka Examinations Authority in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging that candidates at CET exam centers in Bidar, Shivamogga, and Dharwad districts were forced to remove their sacred threads.
Senior advocate S. Sriranga, representing the petitioner Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, informed the court that candidates were mistreated during the mathematics exam held on April 17.
The petition claimed that students who refused to remove their sacred threads were detained entry to the examination halls and requested a re-examination for the affected candidates. Senior advocate S.Sriranga argued that officials from the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) violated constitutional rights concerning education, religious freedom, and access to educational institutions. An FIR has been filed in the case following the PIL submission.
The petitioner has requested the court to establish clear guidelines for exam conduct and frisking procedures by KEA officials.The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for June 9.
