Akhila Bharat Brahman Mahasabha members confronted staff at Adichunchanagiri PU College, alleging forced removal of a janiwara. They also submitted a letter to the District Commissioner demanding an investigation
Published Apr 19, 2025 | 7:24 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 19, 2025 | 7:24 PM
CCTV footage shows Janiwara was not cut by the security guards
Synopsis: Following a review of CCTV footage and official inquiries, Shivamogga DC Gurudatta Hegde clarified that no security guard forcibly removed or discarded a student’s janiwara at a CET exam centre. Contrary to allegations by Brahmin Sabhas, the student removed it voluntarily after being informed it wasn’t allowed. However, two security guards involved in the incident have been suspended
After a careful inspection of CCTV video footage and thorough interrogation of the officials present at the spot, Gurudatta Hegde, District Commissioner, Shivamogga has released an official statement in the alleged removal of janiwara at CET exam centre. He said that the janiwara was not cut and thrown into dustbin by the security guards, as alleged by the members of various Brahmin Sabhas in Karnataka.
However, two security guards who were frisking the students before letting them inside the CET exam hall on Thursday,17 April, have been suspended.
As per the press statement from DC Gurudatta Hegde, “Concerned officials were enquired about it and the CCTV video footage regarding the Janiwara incident have been thoroughly examined. In the CCTV video, a student is seen arriving near the exam hall. The student himself takes off his Janiwara and shows it to two security guards. When he asks if this is allowed, the security guards say no. The student himself goes aside and removes the Janiwara.”
“Similarly, when another student arrives, the security guards check for janiwara and say that he is not allowed in the examination room, the security guards do not let the student inside the examination center.”
“Then the principal of the college who arrives at the spot asked about the student sitting outside the exam hall, but when the security told him the Janiwara issue, he said that there was no way to disrupt the tradition. The student was told that he could go and write the exam.”
The statement further read that no students had any problem in writing the exams. They were able to attend it on time. However, it appears that religious sentiments were hurt Therefore, two home guard personnel have been suspended and an order has been issued, and a further investigation has been ordered.
Due to the timeliness and timely measures of the college principal and the Deputy Director of the Education Department, there was no problem writing the exam for the students. But this kind of incident happened due to the lack of understanding of the two security guards.
Responding to the allegations of the Brahmin Mahasabha, DC Gurudatta Hegde, “The scene captured on the CCTV camera is clear. Here, the Janiwara was not cut. The Janiwara was removed by the student himself.” He clarified that no misdeed of cutting Janiwara and throwing it in the dustbin has taken place here.
A proper investigation has been ordered into the Janiwara case and a complaint has also been filed at Doddapet police station. He said that the report regarding the suspension has already been sent to the government.
On 16 April in Shivamogga, two students at Aadichunchanagiri Independent Pre-University (PU) College were allegedly asked to remove their janiwara and kashi dhara – religious threads traditionally worn by Brahmin men – during frisking before being allowed into the examination hall.
The Akhila Bharat Brahmana Mahasabha alleged that three students were involved. According to the group, one student refused to comply but was still allowed to sit the examination. The other two were reportedly required to remove the threads before proceeding inside.
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) publishes a dress code for CET candidates on its website, outlining clothing and accessories permitted during the examination. It prohibits metal ornaments, rings, and bracelets, but does not explicitly mention janiwara or other religious threads.
On Friday, when the issue came to the notice of public, the members of Akhila Bharat Brahaman Mahasabha went to the Adichunchangiri Independent PU college and confronted the staff. They had alleged that janiwara was forcefully removed and thrown into dustbin. The members of this organisation had also submitted a letter to the District Commissioner to conduct an investigation.
Following this, Higher Education Minister, MC Sudhakar had announced a probe into this issue and had asked the District Commissioner to submit a detailed report within 24 hours.
In a separate incident in Bidar district, Suchivrat Kulkarni a PU 2 student has alleged that he was not let inside by the frisking officials for refusing to remove the janiwara. He said, “I requested the officials to let me inside as it is against our traditions to remove the janiwara anywhere. Therefore, I was not able to attend Maths exam on Thursday, I had to return home. I was aspiring to become a Computer Science engineer, now all my dreams are shattered.”
While MC Sudhakar has asked a detailed report from District Commissioner of Bidar in this unique case, Eshwar Khandre, district in-charge minister has also ensured that strict actions would be taken against those involved in this.
The Higher Education Minister has also ensured that he would hold a discussion with Karnataka Examination Authority officials of Suchivrat to provide an alternative option so that the student’s academic career is not at stake.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
