Karnataka CET sacred thread controversy has made a significant development where State Forest and Ecology Minister Eshwar Khandre has announced that Suchivrath Kulkarni, a student who had missed writing his mathematics test in the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) after declining to take off his sacred thread, will be awarded a free engineering seat at Bheemanna Khandre Institute of Technology (BKIT), Bhalki.
The decision was made on Sunday, April 20, following public outcry over the reported religious discrimination against Kulkarni at a KCET exam center in Bidar. Minister Khandre himself went to the student’s house along with Municipal Administration Minister Rahim Khan to break the news to the family that the seat would be given free of cost in BKIT, which is run by the Shanti Vardhak Education Society — an institution headed by Khandre himself.
The Karnataka CET sacred thread controversy sparks anger
The Karnataka CET sacred thread controversy broke out last week when Kulkarni and three other Brahmin students were allegedly ordered to remove his sacred thread (janivara) prior to attempting the KCET math paper. Although some did so under protest, Kulkarni did not, on grounds of religious duty — and was consequently stopped from entering the exam center.
Interestingly, the incident occurred at the Sai Spoorthi PU College in Bidar, and followed hot on the heels of a similar controversy in Shivamogga, where students too were reportedly asked to take off sacred threads and other religious symbols.
Even after already having composed the Physics and Chemistry papers with no problem — and in the same thread — Kulkarni was mysteriously barred from sitting for the final paper, igniting mass-scale outrage and demands for government responsibility.
What does the Karnataka CET sacred thread controversy tell us about exam regulations and religious freedoms?
This Karnataka CET sacred thread controversy has evoked serious questions regarding the balance between exam security regulations and religious freedom rights. While the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) regulations clearly permit non-metallic sacred threads during exams, uneven enforcement resulted in the disallowance of Kulkarni’s attempt at the exam — an action many have characterized as discriminatory.
Subsequent to the incident, Karnataka Higher Education Minister Dr. MC Sudhakar instructed a complete probe, instructing Bidar Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma and other district authorities to carry out a complete inquiry. Their report established deviations from KEA procedure and determined that Kulkarni was singled out unjustly even though he had been permitted to wear the same string on previous days of exams.
Disciplinary action follows after investigation
The investigation report led to the termination of Sai Spoorthi PU College Principal Chandrashekar Biradar and Second Division Clerk Satish Pawar. The administration agreed that although suspension was first proposed, the two employees were ultimately terminated for having violated set KEA regulations.
To the findings, the holy thread — cotton and non-metallic — ought not to have been protested, nor was there any reason for Kulkarni to be requested to remove it. Consequently, the Karnataka CET holy thread controversy only added to public criticism of the treatment of religious symbols in governed areas such as examination centers.
Minister’s response and other options for the student
Minister Khandre’s decision to declare the free engineering seat is being interpreted as a move to undo the academic and emotional loss inflicted by the Karnataka CET sacred thread controversy. He asserted, “Taking into consideration the significance of the student’s future in terms of education, I granted Suchivrat a free seat in our engineering college in Bhalki.”
Khandre also divulged that the options are being brainstormed for considering other options — including even getting Kulkarni to give an alternate attempt at KCET or providing backing for the COMEDK entry test, should he be so inclined.
The Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha has also welcomed the decision, terming it a step in the right direction. The controversy, however, has ignited debate in social and political circles, particularly after BJP MP BY Raghavendra condemned the incident vehemently, stating that it goes “against Hindu values and rights.”
Internet sites have been inundated with reactions, with most bemoaning the precedent the incident will set for religious expression in educational environments. Civil rights groups and educators alike have also joined voices calling for enhanced training and sensitization of invigilators to avert future mishandling of similar matters.
State ramps up redressal efforts after Karnataka CET sacred thread row
Following the Karnataka CET sacred thread controversy, both the state education officials and the KEA have pledged to implement corrective steps at all centers of examination. These are:
- Ensuring consistent understanding and enforcement of KEA guidelines.
- Raising awareness among employees regarding acceptable religious wear.
- Issuing formal notices to avoid future discrimination.
- Implementing a grievance redressal system for concerned students.
The Karnataka CET sacred thread controversy has revealed the necessity of greater sensitivity and specificity in the implementation of exam rules. Although the government’s rapid response and Minister Khandre’s approach to Suchivrath Kulkarni have received widespread appreciation, the incident serves as a wake-up call to reform invigilation procedures and protect students’ rights to education without any compromise on their religious identity.
As Karnataka moves towards guaranteeing inclusive and equitable examination practices, this case has the potential to be a landmark moment in the way religious diversity is honored within educational settings.
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