Railways’ exam direction to remove sacred thread, mangalsutra stirs row in Karnataka

Bengaluru: The admit cards issued to candidates for the Railway Department’s Nursing Superintendent entrance examination, directing them to remove religious symbols, caused outrage in Karnataka.

Candidates are instructed to appear for the exam scheduled from April 28 to 30 not wearing religious symbols such as the mangalsutra (sacred marriage chain) and janivara (sacred thread) to the exam hall, India Today reported.

They were banned from wearing any ornaments, including mangalsutra, earrings, nose pins, rings, bracelets, and janivara to the exam hall for the computer-based test.

The guidelines follows similar stringent directions last month to candidates appeared for Karnataka’s Common Entrance Test (CET) giving rise to concerns about treatment of religious symbols during public exams.

Back then, complaints were made about Hindu students having been asked to remove sacred threads.

However, the instructions, which include the ban on mobile phones Bluetooth devices, cameras, watches, belts, handbags, wallets, and electronic gadgets at the hall, are however, are part of preventing malpractice and ensuring security, , according to the report.

Hindu outfits such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) claim that the guidelines ‘infringes upon religious freedoms’, demanding immediate withdrawal of them from the admit card for exam at the Manail Srinivas Nayak Besant Vidya Kendra in Bondel, Mangaluru.

The outfit reportedly said: ‘This action will hurt the religious sentiments of crores of Hindus. In a country where Hindus are the majority, it is impossible to tolerate such anti-Hindu policies.’

Meanwhile, social media user Sharan Kumar Pumpwell, showcasing the image of admit card on Facebook said it was ‘an anti-religious stance’.

The instructions are reportedly part of the standard procedures with the admit card directing candidates to undergo Aadhaar-linked biometric verification.

Alongside they are barred from having any items that could conceal identity or facilitate unfair means.

The candidates are directed that they will have to take biometric registration, frisking, and document verification and failing them would mean disqualification from examination.