Hindu women forced to remove Mangalsutra during the Karnataka Civil Services exam

• Asked to remove earrings, gold chains, toe rings

• Muslim women allowed to enter wearing a Hijab

Bengaluru (Karnataka) – On 5 th November, during the Karnataka Public Service Commission examination, married women were asked to remove their ‘Mangalsutra’ before entering the examination hall. Additionally, they were asked to take off their earrings, gold chains, and toe rings. Those who declined to remove their ‘Mangalsutra’were denied entry to the examination hall. Some women faced difficulties in removing their earrings and had to seek assistance from a local goldsmith. In one particular incident involving two women from Raichur, they were subjected to thorough scrutiny and had to part with their ‘Mangalsutra’ and toe rings, leaving these pieces of jewellery with their relatives before proceeding to the examination centre. This strict action by the administration was taken to prevent cheating during the examination. After the news in this regard went viral on the news channels, officials subsequently ordered that such demands for jewellery removal should not be made.

1.The women who appeared for the exam said that, “In Hindu Dharma, Mangalsutra is not removed. We remove it only when required. I had to remove the Mangalsutra and toe rings to appear for the exam. Just like the officials allowed women wearing Hijab to enter after screening, we should have been allowed to enter as well”.

2.The day before this incident, two individuals, a candidate named Trimurthy and his brother Ambarish, were apprehended for engaging in fraudulent activities during the Karnataka Common Entrance Test. Trimurthy attempted to cheat by concealing a Bluetooth device, which he used to receive assistance from his brother Ambarish, who was positioned outside the examination centre, also using Bluetooth communication.

Is this rule only for Hindus ? – BJP

Women wearing Hijab were granted entry into the examination hall. So, “Is this rule only for Hindus ?” questioned BJP MLA Basangouda Yatnal.

Editorial Perspectives

If stringent measures are enforced against individuals resorting to such practices in the name of preventing cheating during exams, it can serve as a deterrent to others.