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Karnataka to Hold CET Re-Exam for Students Affected by Dress Code Row

The Karnataka government announced a re-examination for CET candidates affected by dress code enforcement controversies. Incidents of students being asked to remove janue, hijab, and nose rings were reported at exam centres in Bengaluru and Chikkaballapur. Minister M.C. Sudhakar stated that staffers who misused power face action, and a re-test is preferred over grace marks. The district administration has submitted reports, and further decisions will be taken after discussions.

Key Points: Karnataka CET Re-Exam for Dress Code Row Students

  • Karnataka announces re-exam for CET students affected by dress code issues
  • Incidents of hijab and sacred thread removal reported at exam centres
  • Minister M.C. Sudhakar confirms action against staffers who misused power
  • Re-examination only for affected candidates, grace marks ruled out
2 min read

K'taka to hold CET re-exam for affected students over dress code row​

Karnataka announces re-examination for CET candidates affected by hijab, janue, and nose ring dress code controversies. Minister M.C. Sudhakar confirms action.

"Four students have faced difficulty in this regard at the CET examination centres. In this background, it has been decided to hold a re-examination for those students only. - M.C. Sudhakar"

Bengaluru, April 30

The Karnataka government announced on Thursday that it would hold a re-examination for candidates who faced trouble due to the implementation of dress code guidelines while appearing for the Common Entrance Test in the state.​

It can be recalled that instances of students being asked to remove janue, hijab and nose rings were reported and created a huge controversy.​

The government clarified that the removal of janeu and hijab was a misuse of power by staffers at the examination centres and also initiated action against them.​

Minister for Higher Education M.C. Sudhakar has made the announcement in this regard.​

Speaking to the media on Thursday, he stated, "Four students have faced difficulty in this regard at the CET examination centres. In this background, it has been decided to hold a re-examination for those students only."​

It was reported that confusion occurred at two examination centres in Bengaluru and Chikkaballapur over issues related to the sacred thread (janivara, janue) and hijab during the CET examination.​

Following this, affected candidates had requested a re-examination.​

Responding to the issue, the minister said that a re-examination would be conducted only for those candidates who were affected.​

He stated that awarding grace marks would not be appropriate in such cases, and therefore, a re-test would be the better option.​

"We will hold discussions and take a final decision. Similar confusion had occurred last year as well, and it has been decided that conducting a re-examination would be appropriate this time," he said.​

The issue gained further attention after a controversy erupted over an incident in which a candidate's sacred thread was allegedly cut during the CET exam.​

In addition, a case has come to light in Chikkaballapur where a candidate wearing a hijab was reportedly denied permission to appear for the exam.​

Minister Sudhakar noted that the district administration has submitted a report on the matter.​

He noted that similar incidents had occurred last year, following which the responsibility of enforcing the dress code was assigned to individual colleges.​

Despite this, such incidents have recurred this year.​

"Once the matter came to our notice, it was taken seriously. In Bengaluru, the District Commissioner has recommended cancelling the exam centre. In Chikkaballapur, the report has suggested that the government take appropriate action, and necessary steps will be taken accordingly," he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an outsider, this seems like a very Indian problem - combining education with religious symbols. The government's decision to hold a fresh exam for the affected students is fair. Hope they also train staff better next time so no student has to face such trauma.
K
Kavya N
This is why India needs a uniform dress code for all exams - no religious symbols, no politics. But if the rules were already in place, how did these students get to the exam hall in the first place? And cutting someone's sacred thread is pure cruelty. The staff involved deserve strict punishment. Hope the re-exam is soon, CET results are already delayed.
J
James A
Respectful criticism: Why was the dress code not clearly communicated before the exam? These issues happened last year too, and they repeated. The government's response is reactive, not proactive. Still, conducting a separate exam rather than giving grace marks is more fair. Let's hope the re-test doesn't have similar problems.
M
Michael C
The fact that staff cut or removed religious items shows deep-seated bias. India is a diverse country - we must respect all faiths. The government should also look into why the Chikkaballapur centre was allowed to function if the District Commissioner is recommending cancellation. Transparent action needed.
P
Priya S
As someone who has written CET, I know how stressful it is. Imagine being told to remove your janeu or hijab minutes before the paper - it's traumatic. Government's decision is welcome, but why only re-exam for 4 students? What about the psychological impact on others who witnessed this? Educational institutions

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