Chikkamagaluru: The All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) state committee has strongly condemned incidents in which students appearing for the Common Entrance Test (CET) were allegedly forced to remove their janivara, the sacred thread worn by Hindu men. This comes despite clear guidelines from the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) stating that students should not be asked to remove personal religious symbols.
Incidents of Religious Discrimination
AIDSO reported that in several colleges, students were pressured to remove the janivara. The organisation cited a recent incident in Chikkaballapura, where examination authorities asked a student to remove the sacred thread. Similar incidents had also occurred during the previous year's CET exams, indicating a recurring pattern of discrimination.
Psychological Impact on Students
Chaitra, the AIDSO Chikkamagaluru district convenor, stated that when religious festivals and activities are organised in educational institutions, including government and private ones, targeting students' personal beliefs causes deep psychological trauma. She emphasised that such actions violate the secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
Secularism Under Threat
Chaitra quoted Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda, who said that the true mark of a secular nation lies in not identifying or promoting religion in social matters. Yet, she noted, such incidents continue to be reported, remain unchecked, and personally target students. She argued that these discriminatory practices began with the hijab controversy, when young women were targeted for wearing hijab and their right to education was curtailed.
AIDSO's Stand on Secularism
AIDSO believes that true secularism does not lie in attacking personal beliefs but in the government not patronising any religion. Targeting students in the name of religious symbols is contrary to secular principles, she added. The organisation has appealed to the state government to intervene and take strict action against those responsible for hurting the minds of young students.
Demand for Government Action
In the interest of students, AIDSO demanded firm steps to strengthen genuine secularism in educational institutions. The organisation called for immediate intervention by the Karnataka government to ensure that no student is forced to remove religious symbols during examinations or in educational settings.
