Following the ‘Janivara row’ during the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) held last week, Forest and Ecology Minister Eshwar Khandre announced a free seat to Suchivrath Kulkarni, the student who had to skip appearing for the Mathematics test of KCET after refusing to remove the holy thread primarily worn by male members of the Brahmin community.
The row erupted as holy threads of four students belonging to the Brahmin community were asked to be removed before appearing for the test, three at Shivamogga and one at Bidar. While three at Shivamogga were allowed to write the exams – two after their Janivaras were removed, Kulkarni refused to take the exams without his holy thread.
After the incidents, Karnataka Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar sought a detailed report from the deputy commissioners of Bidar and Shivamogga districts. In Bidar, the deputy commissioner recommended the removal of the principal and a staff member of the examination centre, whereas two home guards were suspended at Shivamogga for stopping the students.
The free seat for an engineering course will be at the Bheemanna Khandre Institute of Technology, Bhalki, run by Shanti Vardhak Education Society – where Khandre is the chairman. The minister and his Cabinet colleague Rahim Khan visited the residence of the student on Sunday morning.
Regretting the incident, Khandre said that the government has initiated strict action against those responsible for the lapse. The seat is being offered, considering the future of the student, he said, adding that the government was exploring the possibility of providing him another opportunity to write the test.
The Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha issued a statement welcoming the decision of the minister.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
