Community accuses exam authorities of religious insensitivity; state government intervenes after repeated complaints.
Kalaburagi, Karnataka – Tensions flared outside a NEET exam centre in Kalaburagi on Sunday as members of the Brahmin community staged a protest after reports emerged that students were allegedly forced to remove their sacred thread, or Janivara, before being allowed to sit for the test.
According to reports from news agency PTI, the protest was triggered after a student, Shripad Patil, was allegedly asked to remove his sacred thread at St. Mary's School, the designated exam centre for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate courses (NEET UG) 2025.
In response to the incident, dozens of community members gathered outside the venue, chanting slogans and staging a sit-in. Protesters accused exam officials of hurting religious sentiments and disregarding official guidelines laid out by the government.
A video shared by news agency ANI showed demonstrators holding up their sacred threads and confronting security personnel at the site, demanding accountability.
Following public outcry, the Karnataka state government registered a case against the officials involved and issued fresh directives to ensure religious symbols are respected at exam centres. Despite this, protesters alleged that similar incidents occurred again on Sunday, with some students reportedly having their sacred threads cut or forcibly removed.
This is not the first such controversy. PTI noted a comparable incident during the April 16 Common Entrance Test (CET), where Brahmin students were also allegedly asked to remove their sacred threads before entry.
The NEET UG 2025, held nationwide on Sunday by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is India라이브 바카라 largest medical entrance exam and is crucial for admission into MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical programs. Lakhs of students appeared for the exam across the country.
The incident has reignited debate over balancing security protocols during national examinations with the protection of religious and cultural practices.