Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India] : Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna has directed the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) to withdraw the mandate requiring students appearing for exams to remove religious symbols and ornaments, BJP MP Brijesh Chowta confirmed on Monday.
The controversial rule, which prohibited items like earrings, mangalsutras, janeu (sacred thread), hip bands, and other religious symbols during examination for the post of Nursing Superintendent at Indian Railways, drew widespread criticism. Chowta, highlighting the issue through a post on X (formerly Twitter), thanked Somanna for intervening promptly.
“Glad to inform that, as we brought it to his attention, our Union MoS Shri V Somanna has intervened and instructed authorities not to indulge in any such practices,” Chowta wrote.
Link to post
The Karnataka government also expressed strong objection. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that while security checks are understandable, asking candidates to remove religious articles is inappropriate.
“When it’s a religious thing like a ‘Mangalsutra’ or a ‘Janeu’, they can check it if required, but removing them is not correct,” Shivakumar said. He acknowledged past instances where candidates attempted to conceal electronic devices, but stressed that “anything that incites anger among the people should be removed” and demanded a withdrawal of the rule.
The original exam guidelines from the Railway Recruitment Board listed “banned items” including bangles, religious symbols, ornaments, belts, handbags, and a wide range of electronic devices such as mobile phones, Bluetooth gadgets, and health bands. The intent was to maintain exam integrity and prevent unfair means; however, the blanket prohibition on religious articles triggered significant backlash.
Both the Union government and the Karnataka state government have now made it clear that while vigilance against cheating devices is essential, religious sentiments must be respected.
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V Somanna, Railway Recruitment Board, Religious Symbols Ban, Indian Railways, Nursing Superintendent Exam, Brijesh Chowta, DK Shivakumar, Railway Exams India, Religious Freedom, Karnataka News