Two second-year Pre-University students were allegedly forced to remove their janeu (sacred thread) by security staff at the Aadichunchanagiri Independent PU College CET examination centre in Shivamogga on 16 April 2025, triggering protests from the local Brahmin community.
The janeu is a sacred cotton thread worn by Brahmins as part of a spiritual initiation rite and is considered a deeply significant religious symbol. Community leaders claimed one student’s thread was forcibly removed and discarded, despite being worn under the shirt and not visibly displayed.
According to a report by Udayavani, security personnel demanded that students remove their religious threads. One student is said to have refused, stating, “Do what you want, I will not remove it,” while another student, who complied under pressure, was reportedly left devastated after his janeu was removed.
A video of the confrontation between parents and officials has gone viral. In the footage, a parent is seen asking, “Do they have the courage to do something similar with students of other religions?”
Karnataka – A Brahmin Student made to cut his Janeu and thrown in dustbin before taking CET exam!
One of the parent is heard asking “Do they have the courage to do something similar with student of other religion?”pic.twitter.com/lk2NXNEk2t
— Shilpa (@shilpa_cn) April 17, 2025
The incident has sparked widespread outrage. Members of the Brahmin community, including representatives of the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha and the Federation of Vipra Organizations, met with the Shivamogga District Collector demanding swift action against those responsible. Former MLA K.B. Prasanna Kumar and local leaders also visited the exam centre to raise concerns.
In a memorandum submitted to the administration, community leaders condemned the act as “anti-Hindu” and “anti-Brahmin,” stating, “It is deeply condemnable that such an insulting act was carried out at a centre where students who had undertaken the Gayatri Mantra initiation were forced to remove their sacred thread. This is a violation of their dignity and religious freedom.”
Several others criticized the emotional distress caused to students just before a critical exam. While the examination protocol reportedly prohibits jewellery and metallic items, the reason behind targeting a non-metallic, religious thread remains unclear. No official clarification has been provided by exam authorities so far.
The District Collector has been urged to initiate an immediate investigation and take disciplinary action if any violation of religious rights is confirmed.
(With inputs from India Today)
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