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Staff use scissors to cut janeu (sacred thread)
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Apply adhesive tapes over nose rings of female Hindu students
Chikkaballapur, Karnataka – An incident at Nagarjuna College during the recent Common Entrance Test (CET) has sparked outrage, where students were allegedly asked to remove their sacred threads (janeu).
I went to the CET exam centre. The authorities noticed my Janehu [sacred Hindu thread] and ordered me to remove it, warning me that if I didn’t I wouldn’t be allowed to take the exam. I had to remove it, along with seven others. – Student in Karnataka.
Hindus in Hindu Rashtra. pic.twitter.com/crlVOSbnQJ
— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) April 25, 2026
Student Suprith K.R. described his experience, stating that he reached the examination centre at 9:45 am on 23 April. During verification, staff noticed that he was wearing a janeu. Although he expressed willingness to remove it himself, the staff allegedly cut it with scissors and threw it into a dustbin.
He said the incident caused him severe mental distress, especially as his Upanayan (Munja) ceremony had taken place just eight days earlier. After the examination, he retrieved his sacred thread from the dustbin and took it home.
Janeu is not allowed during EXams 🙄
What harm one peace of thread can cause ?
During CET exam in Bangaluru student was asked to remove his thread ( Janue)
Tejasvi Surya has escalated the matter to police
Hijab is allowed , Skull cap is allowed but Janue is not allowed 😈 pic.twitter.com/oRkon4pys6
— Sheetal Chopra 🇮🇳 (@SheetalPronamo) April 24, 2026
Female students forced to remove nose rings at Chikkamagluru college
In Chikkamangaluru, at the M.E.S. College, a a similar situation unfolded when female students were forced to remove their nose rings. When the students were unable to remove the nose rings, staff members applied adhesive tapes over the students’ noses to cover the jewellery. This led to a state of confusion and added significant stress to the candidates just before their exam.
A college in Karnataka taped the traditional nose ring worn by girls students before an entrance exam
College – MES College in Chikkamagaluru
Exam – CET held on ThursdayThe management covered the nose rings with adhesive tape before entering exam hall. Many bled after trying… pic.twitter.com/nV9S1gkclu
— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) April 26, 2026
The scrutiny extended to Ballari district as well, where at 10 different centers, staff forced students to remove not only earrings and jewellery but also religious threads tied around their necks and wrists.
Editorial Perspective
- Are we still living under the Mughal era? Would the authorities ever dare to desecrate sacred symbols of other faiths in such a manner?
- The Congress govt’s history of anti-Hindu bias is clear, and this latest insult is a wake-up call. It is high time for Hindus to unite and stand against this systemic targeting of our faith.
— Editor, HJS
Official denies allegations
The uniform code officer at the centre, Dodda Eerappa, denied all allegations. He stated that verification was conducted strictly as per Karnataka Examination Authority guidelines and that no student was asked to remove, cut, or discard their janeu. He added that he was unaware of why such allegations were being made.
Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao expresses concern
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao expressed strong concern over the incident. In a Facebook post, he stated that he had taken note of complaints regarding students being asked to remove their sacred threads during the CET examination.
He confirmed that a complaint has been registered and that the police are investigating the matter. He assured that action would be taken transparently and within the framework of the law, and urged students and parents not to worry.
He further stated:
- Actions such as asking female students to remove earrings and bangles, and male students to remove their sacred threads or cut long sleeves, are inhumane and condemnable. Examination centres should test knowledge, not undermine students’ dignity.
- The government will take serious steps to ensure such incidents do not recur. Students should not feel discouraged and should continue preparing for their examinations with confidence. The government stands firmly with them and encourages them to face their exams with courage.