The Karnataka High Court on Saturday issued notices to the state government and the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging religious discrimination during the CET exams.
The PIL, filed by the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, claims that candidates in Bidar, Shivamogga, and Dharwad districts were forced to remove their Janivara or Janeu (sacred thread) before entering exam halls during the mathematics exam on April 17.
Senior advocate S Sriranga, representing the petitioner, told a division bench of Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind that candidates who refused to comply were barred from taking the exam. He argued that KEA officials’ actions violated students’ rights under Articles 21A (right to education), 25 (freedom of religion), and 29(2) (protection against discrimination in educational institutions) of the Constitution.
The petitioner also informed the court that an FIR was registered after the PIL was filed. They have requested a re-examination for the affected candidates and demanded the establishment of clear frisking and exam conduct guidelines for KEA officials to prevent future incidents.
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