Shivamogga: An isolated incident of college authorities asking a candidate to remove holy thread before appearing for CET on Wednesday set off protests from Brahmin community, which has sought action against the exam centre for hurting religious sentiments.
From this year, Karnataka Examinations Authority, which conducts CET for admissions to professional courses, has introduced dress code and banned a few accessories for candidates. The list of banned accessories includes metal jewellery except mangalasutra and toe ring, but is silent on holy beads and threads. Also banned are multi-pocket trousers and shoes.
The alleged controversy erupted when a home guard roped in for security duty at a private PU college in Shivamogga started overzealously implementing the dress code, asking students to remove janivara, Kashidaara and Rudraksha. While a few students took off the threads without protest and reclaimed them after the test, one boy complained to his parents.
HC Yogesh of Congress alleged candidates at another CET centre – an engineering college in Shivamogga — were asked to remove Rudraksha.
Brahmin community leaders, led by former MLA KB Prasanna Kumar and BJP’s S Dattatri, protested outside the PU college on Thursday. A police platoon stationed at the centre dispersed the crowd to ensure smooth conduct of the exam, which concluded on Thursday without any incidents. Physics and chemistry exams were held on Wednesday; biology and maths on Thursday.
A delegation of Brahmin leaders met the Shivamogga deputy commissioner and submitted a memorandum. DC Gurudatt Hegde told TOI they were implementing the dress code announced by KEA and there were no additional restrictions. The DC promised a thorough investigation into the incident.
However, Shivamogga additional deputy commissioner Siddalinga Reddy told TOI that officials have rejected the claims.