Brahmin Group Protests Outside NEET Centre Over Sacred Thread Removal in Karnataka

Tensions flared in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi on Sunday as Brahmin community members protested outside a NEET centre after students were allegedly forced to remove their sacred threads.

A major controversy erupted outside a NEET-UG 2025 exam centre in Kalaburagi after a Brahmin candidate, Shripad Patil, was reportedly asked to remove his Janivara (sacred thread) before being allowed into the exam hall. The incident occurred at St. Mary’s School, prompting a strong backlash from the Brahmin community.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the school, shouting slogans and staging a sit-in. A video shared by ANI showed community members confronting officials, displaying their sacred threads and accusing authorities of hurting religious sentiments.

Sunday’s incident follows a similar controversy during the Common Entrance Test (CET) on April 16, where sacred threads were also allegedly removed from Brahmin students. Despite a government case filed then and assurances of corrective action, several candidates on Sunday reported facing the same ordeal.

“Even after guidelines were issued, sacred threads were either forcibly removed or cut. This is an attack on our traditions,” a protester said, speaking to local reporters.

Following the uproar, the Karnataka government registered a case against the exam centre staff and reiterated instructions to respect religious articles during frisking. Officials promised that an inquiry would be conducted and said disciplinary action would follow if guidelines were violated.

Authorities at the centre, however, maintained they were acting in line with NEET’s strict security protocols.

The NEET-UG 2025 exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), took place nationwide on Sunday under heightened security. More than 24 lakh students appeared for the medical entrance test, which decides admission into MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical programs.

In light of last year’s exam controversies — including allegations of paper leaks and grace mark irregularities — the NTA had assured “zero-tolerance” towards malpractice this year. Security was ramped up with police presence, CCTV surveillance, and enhanced digital monitoring across centres.

The state government has promised a full investigation into the Kalaburagi incident. Education activists have called for clearer frisking protocols that uphold both security and constitutional rights.

Meanwhile, student groups and community leaders have demanded the NTA issue a formal clarification to prevent recurrence.