Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has condemned the order barring religious symbols in railway examination centres stating that it is acceptable to perform security checks for ‘Mangalsutra’ or ‘Janeu’, but not suitable to prohibit completely.
Karnataka’s deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has voiced his opposition to the order restricting religious symbols in railway exam centers by insisting removal may go too far, although checking religious items may be acceptable. He stated the authorities should check but not require removal of religious symbols.
“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 after a Public Interest Litigation alleged that CET exam centres in Bidar, Shivamogga and Dharwad districts had forced candidates to remove their sacred threads.
Senior advocate S Sriranga, representing the petitioner Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, stated to the court that candidates were all treated badly during math in the exam on April 17. The petition said that candidates who were asked to remove the sacred threads and did not were denied entry to the examination halls and therefore the buttons sought a re-examination for the affected candidates.
The advocate said KEA officials violated constitutional rights relating to education, freedom of religion, and the right to access educational institutions.
An FIR has been lodged in the case after the PIL was filed. The petitioner has sought orders from the Court for KEA to develop detailed norms to regulate examination conduct and personal searches of candidates by KEA staff. The High Court will hear the case again on June 9.
