Updated
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 28: Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V Somanna, has directed railway authorities not to enforce the removal of sacred threads (janivara) and mangalsutras from candidates appearing for the Indian Railways Nursing Superintendent recruitment exam.
This intervention came after controversy erupted over a Railway Department circular, mentioned in admit cards, which prohibited religious symbols such as sacred threads and mangalsutras inside examination centres. The move had sparked outrage among Hindu organisations.
Highlighting the issue, Mangaluru MP Capt Brijesh Chowta raised concerns with the Railway Department and discussed it directly with Union Minister Somanna.
On Monday, Capt Brijesh Chowta announced on social media platform X, “Happy to inform that after we brought the matter to his attention, Union Minister of State V Somanna has intervened and instructed authorities not to demand the removal of religious symbols like mangalsutra and janivara from candidates.”
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar also reacted sharply, criticising the original directive. "BJP says one thing and does another. Forcing the removal of religious symbols during examinations is wrong. The order should be withdrawn," he said while speaking to reporters outside his residence in Bengaluru.
He added that although authorities may inspect candidates to prevent malpractices, forcibly removing sacred items like earrings, nose rings, sacred threads, and vermillion marks is not acceptable. He acknowledged concerns about misuse of small electronic devices but emphasised that religious sentiments must be respected.
The Railways' original list of banned items included gadgets like mobile phones, calculators, health bands, and Bluetooth devices, along with personal accessories such as belts, bracelets, handbags, and religious items like mangalsutras and sacred threads.
The controversy comes close on the heels of similar incidents during the Karnataka CET exams, where students were asked to remove sacred threads before entering exam halls. Cases were reported from Shivamogga, Bidar, and Dharwad. In Bidar, a student who refused to remove the sacred thread was denied permission to sit for the exam.
Following public outrage, the Karnataka government apologised and suspended the principal and staff responsible. It also promised justice for the affected student.
Meanwhile, the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasangha has filed a PIL in the Karnataka High Court condemning the CET incidents, while the BJP has approached the National Human Rights Commission, alleging discrimination against Hindu students.
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka pointed out that while Hindu students were barred for wearing sacred threads, Muslim students wearing hijab were allowed to appear for the exam, further fuelling the controversy.
Earlier Report
MP Capt Brijesh Chowta intervenes after Mangalasutra, religious symbols barred in railway exam
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 28: A fresh controversy has erupted as candidates appearing for a railway examination have been instructed not to wear Mangalasutras and religious symbols. This comes close on the heels of a state-wide uproar after a student wearing a sacred thread (Janivara) was recently denied entry to a CET examination.
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), which is conducting an examination for the post of nursing superintendent, has issued guidelines in the admit card specifying rules to be followed inside the examination centre. Among these, the seventh instruction clearly states that wearing a Mangalasutra is not permitted. The guidelines also mention that candidates should not wear religious symbols, but no clarification has been provided on what specifically falls under religious symbols. This has raised questions among various communities, including Brahmins who wear the sacred thread (Janivara) and Veerashaivas who wear the Karadige, about whether they too are prohibited.
In a previous recruitment examination held in the state, candidates were asked to remove their Mangalasutra before entering the exam hall, sparking widespread outrage.
Responding to the issue, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta tweeted, stating, “Glad to inform that, as we brought it to his attention, our Union MoS V Somanna has intervened and instructed authorities not to indulge in any such practices that require those appearing for the examination for the post of nursing superintendent of Indian Railways to remove religious symbols and ornaments like the Mangalsutra and Janivara, as was said to be required by the letter of admission.”