Students Forced to Remove Sacred Threads Sparks Major Religious Rights Row at NEET Centre
On Sunday, a serious controversy broke out at St. Mary’s School in Kalaburagi, one of the designated NEET UG 2025 exam centres. Reports emerged that some students were forced to remove or cut their sacred threads (Janivara) before entering the examination hall.
The Brahmin community protest at the NEET exam in Kalaburagi was triggered when Shripad Patil, a Brahmin candidate, was allegedly asked to remove his sacred thread. Soon after, a group of protestors gathered outside the exam venue, staging a sit-in and demanding accountability from the authorities.
Also Read : India Imposes Trade and Communication Ban on Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Attack
Repeated Incidents Fuel Growing Outrage Over Treatment of Brahmin Religious Customs in Public Examinations
What makes this issue even more serious is its recurrence. During the Common Entrance Test (CET) held on April 16, similar complaints were reported. In that instance, too, Brahmin candidates were allegedly told to remove their Janivaras, a sacred symbol worn across the chest that holds deep religious significance.
The Brahmin community protest NEET exam Kalaburagi is not only about a single instance but about a pattern. Protesters accuse exam officials of repeatedly disregarding faith-based traditions in the name of protocol.
Brahmin Community Demands Enforcement of Government Guidelines to Protect Cultural and Religious Sentiments
In light of the Kalaburagi controversy, leaders from the Brahmin community have demanded strict enforcement of government guidelines that permit religious symbols and attire unless they directly compromise security.
As part of the Brahmin community protest NEET exam Kalaburagi, protestors claimed that the government’s guidelines are clear—sacred threads should not be removed unless they hide prohibited materials. Protesters say the enforcement on Sunday violated both the law and the spirit of religious freedom.
Visual Evidence and Witness Accounts Support Allegations of Discriminatory Conduct at NEET Exam Centre
Video footage shared by news agency ANI shows Brahmin men confronting exam staff while holding up their sacred threads. Witnesses alleged that students were made to choose between faith and future, forced to remove sacred symbols to gain entry.
The Brahmin community protest NEET exam Kalaburagi drew further attention when footage went viral on social media. Leaders argued that such humiliation during a career-defining examination inflicts psychological harm and violates fundamental rights.
State Government Responds by Filing FIR and Issuing Fresh Instructions to All Exam Centres
In response to the uproar, the Karnataka government filed a case against the officials involved and issued a circular to prevent future occurrences. The circular emphasized respecting religious symbols and training staff on proper implementation of screening protocols.
Still, those involved in the Brahmin community protest NEET exam Kalaburagi argue that actions have not gone far enough. They demand disciplinary action, accountability from the exam board, and public assurance that this won’t repeat.
High Security and Surveillance Protocols Marked the Conduct of NEET UG 2025 Across India
The NEET UG 2025 exam, held on the same day as the protest, witnessed strict security arrangements nationwide. The National Testing Agency (NTA) ensured tight surveillance using CCTV, biometric checks, and police escorts for transportation of exam materials.
All candidates underwent rigorous checks before entering. However, the Brahmin community protest NEET exam Kalaburagi has raised concerns that religious students face additional scrutiny under the current system, despite no law banning religious threads.
Community Leaders and Legal Experts Highlight the Need for Greater Cultural Sensitivity in Competitive Exams
Community leaders involved in the protest said the current exam environment creates a climate of fear and confusion among religious students. Legal experts added that students’ rights under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution—which guarantees freedom of religion—are potentially being violated.
The Brahmin community protest NEET exam Kalaburagi has also sparked a wider public discussion. Educators and civil rights groups are calling for mandatory sensitivity training for all exam officials to avoid religious discrimination in the future.
National Testing Agency Faces Scrutiny Amid Public Calls for Policy Reform and Better Oversight
While the NTA emphasized that all exam guidelines were followed, the Brahmin community protest NEET exam Kalaburagi has placed the organization under fresh scrutiny. Critics say there’s a gap between central policies and on-ground execution.
This incident, combined with last year’s NEET-UG 2024 controversy involving alleged paper leaks and inflated scores, has eroded public trust in the examination system. Reform and oversight are now being demanded at both state and national levels.
Protestors Call for Permanent Guidelines Ensuring Religious Symbols Are Protected During Public Examinations
Protesters have submitted a formal memorandum to the district administration, urging permanent guidelines that protect sacred threads, turbans, or other religious symbols. The Brahmin community protest NEET exam Kalaburagi is being seen as a test case for how India’s exam institutions respond to matters of faith.
