On April 26, 2025, the Karnataka High Court issued notice to the State Government in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) that challenges the actions of Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) officials who allegedly prevented students wearing sacred threads from appearing for the Common Entrance Test (CET) 2025. The examination was conducted between April 17 and April 19, 2025, for admissions into various undergraduate courses.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind observed, If it turns out to be correct, the allegations in this PIL are prone to assume serious dimensions about the violation of cultural cum religious rights of the examinee students.
The PIL was filed by the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Maha Sabha. It seeks a direction to the State to refrain from discriminating against students who wear sacred threads, which are part of their essential religious practices. The petitioner also requested the court to direct the formation of specific guidelines for examination procedures, particularly concerning frisking by KEA officials.
As an interim relief, the petition urges the State to reconduct the CET for students who were allegedly barred from writing the exam due to wearing the sacred thread.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Sriranga S, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that several students across the state were mistreated at examination centres. He stated that students were either asked to remove or forcibly had their sacred threads cut off before being allowed to enter exam halls.
It is an admitted fact that it has happened and there are news reports also about it happening. There are complainants coming from across the state, some students were told to remove and they were cut and thrown. Officials manning the examination centers have insisted that it should not be worn, the counsel submitted.
The incidents were reported especially in the districts of Bidar, Shivamogga, and Dharwad. The petitioner argued that the actions of KEA officials violated fundamental rights under Articles 21, 21-A, 25, and 29(2) of the Constitution of India.
Additional Government Pleader Niloufer Akbar, representing the State, informed the Court that some affected students have been offered seats in government colleges without appearing for the exam. She stated, "It is painful for the government also, it was not done intentionally."
The Court questioned the petitioner’s counsel on why officers would engage in such conduct. Senior Advocate Sriranga S responded that incidents had indeed occurred, resulting in the filing of FIRs.
The Court noted, "What weighs with the court is that averments are made in the petition, that those students who refused to do so were not permitted to enter the examination room and they have been deprived of appearing in examination. However, the petitioner needs to further substantiate further allegations."
It was also remarked orally by the Court, "Details of students are not given and neither students are before the court. It needs further substantiation. At least give names of the students. Since allegations are more serious we have to be more careful." The petitioner’s counsel agreed to submit additional information as required.
The High Court has issued notice to the respondents, returnable on June 9, 2025.
Appearing for the Petitioners were Senior Advocate Sriranga S, Sumana Naganand, and Ashwini N Ravindra. The Respondents were represented by AGA Niloufer Akbar.
Case Title: AKHILA KARNATAKA BRAHMANA MAHA SABHA AND State of Karnataka
Case No: WP 12499/2025
