After opposition, the railway withdraws a ban on recruiting candidates to wear these items…
After a strong opposition, the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has withdrawn its order prohibiting women candidates from wearing religious symbols in the examination hall for recruitment exams.
Controversy broke out in the railway department’s Nursing Principal Admission Examination as the admission card directed the candidate required the candidate to delete the candidate before entering the examination hall. The examination, scheduled to be held from April 28 to 30, sparked a sharp reaction from Hindu organizations, which violated religious freedom.
After a strong opposition, the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has withdrawn its order prohibiting women candidates from wearing religious symbols in the examination hall for recruitment exams. Now, candidates will be allowed to wear these items during the exam without any trouble.
Southwest Railway clarified in a statement that the instructions had been revised to respect religious sentiment. Candidates wear metal objects, religious symbols, bracelets, ornaments, mango scriptures or bracelets and allow their call letters to be properly recognized in the examination hall, which prompts supervisors to be more alert.
Earlier, South Karnataka, the joint secretary of VISHVA HINDU PARISHAD in Sharan Kumar Pumpwell, criticized the RRB for allegedly taking an “anti-religious” stance. RRB specifies certain items in the admission notice, including “bracelets, religious symbols, decorations and Mungera sutras” and is not allowed in the test center. Pumpwell interprets it as meaning that “Janivara” (the sacred thread) is also forbidden, which he believes is unacceptable.
Following the dispute, Union Minister v. V Somanna stepped in and ensured that candidates wearing culturally significant objects such as Janivara and Mangalya Sutra faced no obstacles. “Candidates wear items representing their culture… there will be no trouble during the exam process…as long as they comply with all other prescribed examination rules and regulations.” He added: “I urge all candidates to cooperate strictly in a smooth process in accordance with established inspection procedures. There is no need for any confusion or concern about the permissibility of wearing culturally important items such as Janivara or Mangalya Sutra.” Captain Brijesh Chowta, MP, thanked Somanna for the intervention.
