Why Did the Union Minister Order Not to Remove Sacred Threads and Mangalsutras?

Bengaluru, April 28 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, has instructed officials not to compel candidates to remove sacred threads and mangalsutras during the examination for nursing superintendent posts organized by the Railway Recruitment Board.

Previously, a circular from the Department of Railways stated that individuals with sacred threads, mangalsutras, and other religious symbols would not be permitted inside examination centers. This announcement sparked significant backlash from various Hindu organizations.

A mangalsutra is a revered necklace, often adorned with black beads and gold, traditionally worn by married Hindu women, symbolizing their marital status.

BJP MP from Mangaluru, Brajesh Chowta, raised awareness of the issue with the Railway Department and discussed it with the Union Minister.

On social media platform X, MP Brajesh Chowta expressed, "I am pleased to announce that, following our intervention, the Union Minister of State, V. Somanna, has taken action and directed authorities not to enforce the removal of religious symbols and ornaments such as the mangalsutra and janivara during the 'Nursing Superintendent' examination for Indian Railways, contrary to what was stated in the admission letter."

In response to this news, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar remarked, "The BJP presents one narrative while acting contrary to it. It is inappropriate to demand the removal of mangalsutra and janivara during railway examinations. This directive should be rescinded."

Shivakumar addressed media inquiries near his residence in Bengaluru on Monday morning, stating, "Religious symbols such as earrings, nose rings, mangalsutra, janivara, sacred threads, and vermillion marks are commonly worn. While inspections may be necessary, enforcing their removal is unjust. Previously, we have encountered cases where small devices were misused for cheating. Individuals must voice their dissent against this."

Earlier, the department had categorized religious symbols, ornaments, bangles, and mangalsutras as prohibited items. The list also included electronic devices like mobile phones, pagers, watches, earphones, Bluetooth gadgets, microphones, health bands, calculators, books, pens, papers, pencils, erasers, pouches, scales, writing pads, metallic wear, belts, bracelets, and handbags.

This development follows the controversy surrounding the removal of sacred threads from students during the Common Entrance Test (CET), a state-level examination conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) for admissions to various undergraduate programs, including engineering, medical, and dental disciplines.

Reports indicated that students were barred from examination centers in Shivamogga, Bidar, and Dharwad.

In these instances, sacred threads were cut prior to allowing students to take the exam.

In Bidar, authorities refused to permit a student to sit for the CET after he declined to remove his sacred thread.

Importantly, the Congress-led government in Karnataka has issued an apology and taken action against the Pre-University College Principal and staff involved in these incidents.

The government also assured that the student denied entry to the exam would receive justice.

The Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasangh filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Karnataka High Court on Saturday, condemning the removal of sacred threads from students during the CET.

The Karnataka BJP has lodged a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission regarding the sacred thread issue, where students wearing janivara/janeu were barred from taking the CET in the state.

In his complaint, R. Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, pointed out that while Hindu students wearing sacred threads were denied entry, Muslim girls in hijabs were allowed to take the examinations.