'Sacred items must remain intact': Shivakumar comments on Janivara controversy
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Synopsis
Bengaluru, April 21 (NationPress) Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has condemned the removal of sacred threads in Karnataka, asserting that such items should remain untouched. He criticized the actions taken during the CET examination, emphasizing the importance of respecting personal religious beliefs.
Key Takeaways
- Sacred items should not be removed from individuals.
- Government interference in personal religious matters is inappropriate.
- Students were denied entry to exams over wearing sacred threads.
- Principal and staff faced suspension for the incident.
- Measures are in place to prevent cheating during exams.
Bengaluru, April 21 (NationPress) Following significant criticism directed at the Karnataka government regarding the removal of sacred threads, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed his discontent on Monday, asserting that sacred items should remain untouched.
“The removal of the ‘Janivara’ was inappropriate. Individuals wear religious symbols like the ‘linga’ (Shiva lingam) or ‘udu-dara’ (a cotton thread tied around the waist). Sacred items such as thaali, bangles, earrings, and ‘Janivara’ should not be interfered with,” stated the Deputy Chief Minister when questioned about the incident where sacred threads (Janivara/Janeu) were taken away during the CET examination.
He emphasized that these represent personal religious beliefs and remarked that the government should not meddle in such affairs.
“While it’s customary to remove such articles during police recruitment exams, they shouldn’t be taken off in educational institutions. What transpired here was incorrect. In prior instances, students have used concealed Bluetooth devices and other gadgets to engage in cheating. Steps have now been enacted to curb such dishonest practices,” he mentioned.
The principal and staff of Sai Spoorthi Pre-University College in Karnataka's Bidar district were suspended following a police investigation that revealed students were barred from taking the Common Entrance Test (CET) due to wearing the sacred thread (Janivara/Janeu), contravening regulations.
Chandrashekhar Biradar, the principal of Sai Spoorthi Pre-University College in Bidar, along with the college’s invigilator Satish Pawar, faced suspension under the directive of Higher Education Department Secretary, K. G. Jagadeesha.
This action was taken promptly after Bidar Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma submitted her findings.
The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also initiated a suo motu complaint.
Additionally, a police report was filed against an officer from the Education Department on Saturday for allegedly prohibiting students wearing the sacred thread from entering the examination hall during the Common Entrance Test (CET) in Karnataka's Shivamogga district.
Suchivrat Kulkarni, the student denied the chance to participate in the CET, shared with the media that he was halted and remarked that a staff member made an inappropriate comment, questioning what might occur if someone committed suicide using the sacred thread in the examination hall.
Shivakumar further criticized Karnataka's Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka regarding the caste census, stating that an individual in a responsible position should not provide falsehoods.
“If he seeks to ascertain whether the caste census report is authentic or fabricated, he should consult with Jayaprakash Hegde, the commission's former chairman, or the officer Dayanand. They will provide clarity,” asserted the Deputy Chief Minister.
In response to Minister Satish Jarkiholi’s comments suggesting it would require another year for the caste census to be implemented, he stated, “This is an internal issue that needs to be addressed within the Cabinet.”
Previously, LoP Ashoka had claimed that the current report regarding the caste census is fabricated.
