FIR filed against CET official in Shivamogga for allegedly asking students to remove ‘janivara’

BENGALURU: An FIR has been filed against an official conducting the CET exam at Adichunchanagiri School in Sharavathinagar in Shivamogga, following a controversy over reports that students appearing for the Common Entrance Test (CET) were allegedly asked to remove their sacred thread (janivara), police said on Friday.

According to officials, the FIR has been filed under Sections 115(2), 299, 351(1), and 352, read with Section 3(5) of the BNS, 2023, based on a complaint lodged by a person identified as Nataraj Bhagavath. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the matter to determine the circumstances under which students were allegedly instructed to remove religious symbols.

Reacting to the incident, Higher Education Minister Dr MC Sudhakar termed it “very unfortunate” and confirmed that such complaints were also received from an exam centre in Bidar. However, he clarified that the examination process went smoothly at most other centres across the state.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On students reportedly made to remove sacred thread (Janeu) at the Karnataka CET exam centre, Karnataka Minister Dr MC Sudhakar says, “This incident is very unfortunate, which has happened not only in Shivamogga but also in Bidar. Everywhere it went on very… pic.twitter.com/h5XLjnoqtt

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2025

“This incident is very unfortunate. It happened not only in Shivamogga but also in Bidar. Everywhere else, the process went smoothly except for two centres. The people responsible for checking or frisking for any gadgets, or even for whatever protocols were followed, were never instructed to check or remove such items,” he said.

“This was not mentioned to be checked or removed to write the exam. We respect all religions, their faith, and their deeds… We are not going to accept this, and we are going to take action…,” he added.

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), which oversees the Common Entrance Test (CET), has yet to issue an official statement. (ANI)