Protest Erupts Outside NEET Centre In Kalaburagi After Student Asked To Remove 'Janeu'
A protest broke out in Kalaburagi after a NEET candidate was allegedly asked to remove his 'Janeu' at an exam centre, sparking outrage from the Brahmin community.
A major protest broke out outside St. Mary’s School, a designated NEET examination centre in Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), on Sunday after a student was allegedly asked to remove his sacred thread—commonly known as “Janeu” or “Janivaar,” a religious symbol traditionally worn by Brahmins—before being allowed to appear for the medical entrance exam.
The incident triggered widespread outrage from members of the Brahmin community, who accused the examination staff of religious insensitivity and discrimination. According to the candidate’s father, who spoke to the media outside the centre, the incident occurred during the pre-exam counselling session.
"The child had gone in for counselling about half an hour ago. What happened was that the child had a sacred thread (called 'Janivaar' or 'Janeu') worn according to our religion, and someone from the staff told him to remove it before entering. The child was crying and told us that he had to remove the thread to be allowed inside. He came outside crying and gave it to me (his father). I was standing outside the gate. I asked to go inside but was not allowed."
Local residents and community leaders quickly gathered outside the venue to protest what they called a violation of religious freedom. Advocate Raghvendra Kulkarni, who addressed the crowd, said:
"He had come to appear for the NEET exam here at St. Mary's College in Gulbarga. He came here at 1:30 in the morning. When he went inside for the NEET exam, the staff there told him that, as per their rules, students wearing religious threads or symbols (like the Janeu worn by Hindus in rural communities) must remove them to be allowed in for the exam." "They said if they do not remove them, they will not be allowed to sit for the exam. Hearing this, the candidate started crying and came outside and informed his father. After that, the staff allowed him inside after he removed the sacred thread. This is an insult to Janeu-wearing Hindus."
#WATCH | Karnataka: Members of the Brahmin community protest outside a NEET examination centre, located at St. Mary's School in Kalaburagi, after a candidate - Shripad Patil was made to remove his 'Janeu' (sacred thread) and then allowed to take the exam. pic.twitter.com/FK0AAPf6ag
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025
Kulkarni directly blamed the state government for the incident and demanded accountability. "The Karnataka government is responsible for this. All Janeu-wearing people and Hindus are boycotting this government. We are requesting that the staff and management involved in this incident be suspended."
The protest, which drew significant local participation, may escalate further, according to organizers. The protestors were showing the Janeu to the camera while protesting on the road.
"A protest is currently taking place in front of St. Mary's College, and society is supporting us. After this protest, we are planning to file an FIR against the staff and management responsible for the removal of the Janeu," Kulkarni added.
As of now, neither the examination authorities nor the school management have released an official statement. The Karnataka government has also not responded to the allegations at the time of publishing.
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