NEW DELHI: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has opposed the order prohibiting religious symbols in railway exam centers, stating that while checking religious items is acceptable, their removal is inappropriate.
Shivakumar emphasized that authorities can inspect religious symbols but shouldn't require their removal.
"When it's a religious thing like a 'Mangalsutra' or a 'Janeu' (sacred thread), they can check it if required, but removing them is not correct. We are clearly saying that any such religious symbols, earrings, mangalsutra, Janeu, or a hip band, they can check it. It is not wrong. But, in the past, there have been some issues where people kept a small device in their ears. It is not right. It (the order) must be taken back... I think that anything that creates anger among the people must be removed. I demand that such rules be removed," said DK Shivakumar.
The Karnataka High Court on Saturday issued notices to the state government and Karnataka Examinations Authority following a Public Interest Litigation that alleged CET exam centers in Bidar, Shivamogga, and Dharwad districts forced candidates to remove their sacred threads.
Senior advocate S Sriranga, representing the petitioner Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, informed the court that candidates were mistreated during the math exam on April 17.
The petition claimed that students who refused to remove their sacred threads were denied entry to examination halls, and sought a re-examination for affected candidates.
The advocate argued that KEA officials violated constitutional rights related to education, religious practice, and admission to educational institutions.
An FIR has been filed in the case following the PIL submission.
The petitioner has requested the court to establish clear guidelines for exam conduct and frisking procedures by KEA officials.
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for June 9.
Shivakumar emphasized that authorities can inspect religious symbols but shouldn't require their removal.
"When it's a religious thing like a 'Mangalsutra' or a 'Janeu' (sacred thread), they can check it if required, but removing them is not correct. We are clearly saying that any such religious symbols, earrings, mangalsutra, Janeu, or a hip band, they can check it. It is not wrong. But, in the past, there have been some issues where people kept a small device in their ears. It is not right. It (the order) must be taken back... I think that anything that creates anger among the people must be removed. I demand that such rules be removed," said DK Shivakumar.
The Karnataka High Court on Saturday issued notices to the state government and Karnataka Examinations Authority following a Public Interest Litigation that alleged CET exam centers in Bidar, Shivamogga, and Dharwad districts forced candidates to remove their sacred threads.
Senior advocate S Sriranga, representing the petitioner Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, informed the court that candidates were mistreated during the math exam on April 17.
The petition claimed that students who refused to remove their sacred threads were denied entry to examination halls, and sought a re-examination for affected candidates.
The advocate argued that KEA officials violated constitutional rights related to education, religious practice, and admission to educational institutions.
An FIR has been filed in the case following the PIL submission.
The petitioner has requested the court to establish clear guidelines for exam conduct and frisking procedures by KEA officials.
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for June 9.
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