 has accused the Karnataka Congress government of being “anti-Hindu” and practising double standards){kind=link}
Political storm erupts after CET candidates claim they were asked to remove sacred thread at exam centre
April 25, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Karnataka Congress government of being “anti-Hindu” and practising double standards after a controversy emerged during the Common Entrance Test (CET). The row began when several Brahmin students alleged that they were asked to remove their ‘janeu’ (sacred thread) at an exam centre in Bengaluru if they wished to appear for the test.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla strongly criticised the incident, questioning whether practising one’s faith had become a barrier to education. He alleged that the Congress government was indulging in appeasement politics and treating communities unequally. The remarks also drew comparisons with debates around religious attire in educational institutions, further intensifying the political discourse.
Following the backlash, authorities suspended the invigilator involved and ordered an inquiry into the incident. Police have registered a case and detained three staff members of Krupanidhi College for questioning. The incident has reignited discussions over religious freedom and exam protocols, especially since a similar controversy had surfaced in the state last year.