NEET candidate asked to remove sacred thread in Kalaburagi
This closely follows similar incidents during the recently conducted K-CET in April when candidates were asked to remove janivara, triggering protests from the Brahmin community and a probe from the state govt.
On Sunday, the student, Sripad Patil, who travelled from Basavakalyan to Kalaburagi to write NEET, was stopped near the exam hall, directed to remove his sacred thread before taking up the exam. Sources said the student complied with the direction.
After learning about the incident, members of Brahmin community gathered at Anand Hotel Circle here to protest "insensitive implementation of examination rules".
Community leaders contended that such incidents were becoming more frequent and emphasised religious symbols and sacred threads hold deep spiritual significance for their community.
The protesters demanded clear guidelines regarding religious symbols during examinations. They called for a balanced approach that would respect both examination integrity and religious sentiments. Several organisations submitted a memorandum to the district authorities, seeking intervention in such matters.
Education officials said they would review the existing guidelines, acknowledging that maintaining examination discipline should not come at the cost of hurting religious sentiments.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
32 minutes ago
- News18
Punjab School Education Minister Bains Engages Teachers In Dialogue To Elevate Academic Standards
The minister got first-hand feedback and inputs from educators and announced a plan to revamp computer labs with a Rs 400 crore investment In a unique initiative to further enhance the quality and standards of education in the state government schools, Punjab School Education Minister S Harjot Singh Bains engaged in 'Dialogue with Teachers" at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Sangrur, to get first-hand feedback and inputs from educators. While addressing the teachers, Bains highlighted the transformative strides in the state's education system, noting that the government schools are now globally recognised. He emphasised that the government's approach is centred on delivering tangible results, rather than resorting to superficial measures. The minister assured that teachers' issues would be addressed while announcing a plan to revamp computer labs with a Rs 400 crore investment and said that interactive panels are being installed in schools. He also said that a third batch of teachers would be sent abroad for training, and the selection would be based solely on merit. Additionally, the minister highlighted initiatives such as promotions for lecturers, appointments of 400 new principals, and improvements in school infrastructure, including increased access to proper seating and sanitation facilities. He further stated that education is the top priority of the Chief Minister S Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government, while citing Punjab's emergence as a top performer in the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2024, attributing it to the state government's relentless efforts. Furthermore, the Education Minister stated that an impressive 845 government school students passed the highly competitive National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), while 265 students successfully cleared the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains this year, which showcases the school education department's commitment to fostering academic excellence and empowering students to excel in the country's most challenging competitive exams. These remarkable accomplishments showcase the Punjab government's dedication to ensuring quality education and improving student learning outcomes, he said. While congratulating the teachers for transforming education, Bains said that the state government has launched the School of Eminence, School of Happiness, and School of Brilliance schemes to uplift the education system and shape the future of students in government schools. He also highlighted a groundbreaking initiative under the Aam Aadmi Party government, where teachers are being trained in esteemed international institutions in Singapore, Finland, and Ahmedabad to modernise the state's education system. He described the Dialogue with Teachers initiative as a pioneering platform where the administration actively listens to and values teachers' insights, fostering a collaborative approach to education reform. Stay updated with the latest education! Get real-time updates on board exam results 2025, entrance exams such as JEE Mains, Advanced, NEET, and more. Find out top schools, colleges, courses and more. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : aap education punjab school view comments Location : Sangrur, India, India First Published: July 27, 2025, 00:48 IST News education-career Punjab School Education Minister Bains Engages Teachers In Dialogue To Elevate Academic Standards Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
J&K set to create ripples with ‘hydropower tourism'
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah (Pic credit: PTI) SRINAGAR: J&K's Omar-Abdullah-led government has started dipping its toes in 'hydropower tourism' with plans to allow hydel electricity generators to set up on-site tourism facilities as an incentive to attract more investors into such projects. J&K's Draft Hydro Power Policy, 2025, proposes tourism infrastructure in hydel projects up to 25MW. A senior official said the infrastructure could include hotels, parks, guesthouses, and water sports facilities The draft policy, reviewed earlier this week by chief minister Omar, will soon be released for public feedback. The policy assumes significance after the Centre put Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan in abeyance following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Omar's National Conference (NC) has long opposed IWT, calling it detrimental to J&K's interests and arguing that it ceded control of river waters to Pakistan without consulting the region. Such tourism facilities will be allowed to be set up only after hydel projects up to 25MW go on stream. 'The policy clearly says after the main hydropower project is completed and begins operating, they can apply to build tourism infrastructure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pirates Climb Aboard Cargo Ship - Watch What The Captain Did Next Tips and Tricks Undo The aim is to increase income and support local economic growth,' the official said. The incentive has been limited for projects up to 25 MW as they typically come up on small streams and offer good tourism potential, while larger hydel plants are located on major rivers with little scope for ancillary amenities, the official explained. J&K has an estimated hydropower potential of over 20,000MW but less than 15% is harnessed. Govt expects good response to the new policy. The official cited Ranjit Sagar Dam (also known as Thein Dam) at Pathankot in neighbouring Punjab as an example, pointing out that the area, with lush gardens and scenic surroundings, had turned into a popular picnic destination. 'J&K's upcoming hydropower projects offer similar tourism potential,' the official said. While hydropower developers in J&K will be required to provide 12% of the generated electricity free to the Union territory under the new policy, the obligation will remain suspended during the initial years to ease the burden on developers. Developers will be allowed to retain all tourism revenue from the start, without no sharing with govt. However, after 40 years, developers must hand over the 'hydel project' and 'all related tourism infrastructure in good operating condition' to govt. The draft policy categorises projects into two segments, up to 25MW, and between 25MW and 100 MW. It proposes waiver of water usage charges for all projects, classifying them as 'non-consumptive users'. Developers will also benefit from carbon credit incentives and receive 100% exemption on registration fees and stamp duty on land purchases, leases, or mortgages related to the projects.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Anticipatory bail plea in NEET marks scam rejected
Mumbai: Observing that accusations of manipulating NEET exam marks to secure admission to government colleges would have a "direct impact on students whose careers are at stake" and the "huge amount" involved and the "prima facie case of involvement" of the accused, a special court last week rejected anticipatory bail plea of Rajiv Sinha, in connection with a scandal involving manipulation of NEET 2025 exam marks. Sinha (36), currently in Thailand, had sought pre-arrest bail through his wife, Shatabdi Sinha. The court vacated the ad-interim relief previously granted to him on July 8. The anticipatory bail plea was filed mainly on grounds that the accused is innocent and falsely implicated in the case. There are no allegations that he has received or demanded money, the plea said. It was submitted that maximum punishment in the offence is 7 years jail, custodial interrogation is not required. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Opposing the plea, CBI submitted that the accused was part of a meeting and had arranged it. It was said that co accused, Salim Patel had sent a list of 15 candidates to Rajiv Sinha. TNN
