Direction to remove Janivara would have come with the knowledge of the govt., says Poojary

Direction to remove Janivara would have come with the knowledge of the govt., says Poojary

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, April 19, 2025: Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary on Friday, April 18, said the action asking students to remove Janivara (sacred thread) at CET Examination centres on Thursday at some places could not have been taken without the knowledge of senior officials and the Minister.

Castigating the government for hurting the sentiments of Hindus, Mr. Poojary in a video statement said earlier it had hurt Hindu’s sentiments by asking women candidates to remove Mangala Suthra, ear rings etc. Not only Brahmins, certain other communities, including the Gowda Saraswata Brahmins, the Vishwakarmas and others wear Janivara as a part of their religious belief.

The directions to remove Janivara or Mangala Suthra etc., do not befit a government. If the Minister concerned claims he was not aware of such direction, stringent action should be taken against the concerned so that such incidents do not recur. It was not proper to curtail the religious freedom of certain communities and freely allow practices of some other communities.

Mr. Poojary said the government should forthwith stop inhumane treatment toward communities.  

The incidents were reported from Shivamogga and Bidar on Thursday.

Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna in a statement said the Congress government has hurt the sentiments of Hindus by directing candidates not to wear Janivara or Mangala Suthra. “The Siddaramaiah government was keen on ensuring Muslim women wore Hijab when they entered examination halls. The same government was denying entry to candidates wearing Janivara and Mangala Suthra,” he alleged.