Three staff members of Krupanidhi Pre-University College in Bengaluru were suspended on Friday after a police case was registered against them over allegations that a student was not allowed to enter a Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) examination hall unless he removed his janivara (sacred thread), leading to complaints of hurt religious sentiments, as reported in Indian Express.
Hindus in Hindu Rastra
A student who appeared for the CET examination at the center in Krupanidhi College, Madivala, Bengaluru, says, “I went to the center around 9.40 am. I kept the bag in the room and they didn’t allow me because they saw my ‘Janeu’. They started telling that… pic.twitter.com/yviYkfBKBm
— The Jaipur Dialogues (@JaipurDialogues) April 24, 2026
According to the complaint, the incident took place on April 23 when the candidate arrived at the college to write the KCET Physics examination. It was alleged that staff members on duty instructed him to remove his sacred thread before permitting entry into the examination hall. The candidate subsequently removed the thread and appeared for the exam but later stated that the action had hurt his religious sentiments.
The student approached the Madiwala police station on April 24 and filed a formal complaint. Based on this, the police registered a case and initiated an inquiry. The three staff members on examination duty Sudhakar D, Girijamma, and Saritha R who were involved in entry checks at the centre were questioned as part of the investigation.
Following the complaint, the college placed the three employees under immediate suspension pending inquiry. The suspension orders directed them not to report to duty and to remain available for further proceedings. The college described the suspension as a precautionary measure and clarified that it did not amount to a final determination of guilt. The investigation is ongoing.
Bengaluru: Three staff members have been arrested after a KCET candidate was allegedly asked to remove his sacred thread (Janivara) during entry checks at Krupanidhi College. Based on a complaint filed at Madiwala police station on April 24, a case has been registered &… pic.twitter.com/HPmI2RYetj
— ChristinMathewPhilip (@ChristinMP_) April 24, 2026
The Karnataka Examinations Authority issued a clarification stating that the KCET Physics and Chemistry examinations were conducted on April 23 across 745 centres in the state, including the Bengaluru college. The authority said that clear guidelines on examination procedures and dress code had been communicated and that candidates were not required to remove religious symbols such as the sacred thread. It added that these instructions had also been reiterated during training sessions for invigilators.
The KEA stated that if the reported incident was confirmed, it would be treated as a serious procedural lapse warranting strict action. It further said that senior officials had conducted an inquiry and sought a detailed report, and that legal action would be taken in accordance with the rules.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka alleged that students were being asked to remove the sacred thread during CET examinations with the support of the Congress government and called for such incidents to be stopped immediately. After meeting the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, he described the episode as a serious violation of religious sentiment and questioned how it occurred despite existing court directions. He stated that forcing students to remove the sacred thread could cause mental distress.
Ashoka further alleged that such incidents could not occur without government backing and said he had raised the issue with police and district authorities. He criticised the delay in action against the staff involved. He also claimed that around 20 students were affected, including one from Padmanabhanagar, and said at least six complaints had been filed. He accused the state government of hurting Hindu sentiments and called for a fair investigation, reiterating his allegations on X.
In April 2025, 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.
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