A controversy has erupted in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi after two NEET-UG 2025 candidates were allegedly forced to remove their sacred threads before entering the examination hall. This incident has led to an FIR being filed against two exam staff members for religious insensitivity, following the complaint of one of the affected candidates.
The incident occurred on Sunday at St. Mary’s School, which was serving as a NEET exam centre for several medical aspirants. Shripad Patil, a Brahmin candidate, alleged that he was instructed by two exam staff members, Sharanagouda and Ganesh, to remove his sacred threads, including the ‘Janivara’ worn along the chest and ‘Kashi Dara’ on the wrist. Though Shripad Patil initially resisted, he eventually handed the sacred threads to his father before proceeding to enter the examination hall.
Shripad Patil claimed that the incident caused him emotional distress and affected his performance. He said the disruption led to incorrect entry of details and negatively impacted his exam responses. In his complaint, Shripad Patil highlighted the emotional toll it took on him, adding to the controversy surrounding the removal of sacred threads.
The police have registered an FIR against the two exam staff members under Section 298 of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses acts of disrespect towards religious practices. The matter is being investigated by local authorities, as this incident has triggered protests by members of the Brahmin community outside the exam centre. Protesters have accused the exam authorities of religious insensitivity, claiming the act violated previously issued government directives intended to protect candidates’ religious rights.
This incident follows a similar occurrence during the Common Entrance Test (CET) for engineering courses held earlier in April, where Brahmin students were also asked to remove their sacred threads. In both cases, the affected individuals and their communities have raised concerns about religious discrimination in the education system.
The NEET-UG 2025, which was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is a crucial exam for medical aspirants aiming to enter undergraduate medical courses like MBBS and BDS. This year’s exam was held under tight security in response to controversies from previous years, including issues with paper leaks and inflated scores. As the matter continues to develop, it remains a topic of public discussion on the balance between religious freedom and educational protocols.
