Sikh candidates told to remove kara before entering exam centre in Jalandhar

Jalandhar, July 29

Tension prevailed at CT Institute, which was one of the centres of the National Testing Agency for conducting JEE (Main) examination, on Friday afternoon here.

At the centre, some Sikh candidates and their parents, who had come to drop their wards, found that the NTA-deputed staff was asking the candidates to remove their kara (bangle worn by Sikhs as a religious symbol). A protest was staged by parents against the move and representatives of some Sikh organisations were called, which came to the campus and also objected the move.

A leader of the Sikh Talmel Committee said: “The NTA’s move is completely uncalled for. We will not let this happen.” They talked to the NTA staff and asked them about the ground on which such a restriction had been imposed. The NTA observers said they had been directed that any metal piece which was being detected by metal detectors should not be allowed inside the campus, be it hairpins, waist belts or karas.

After the situation turned tensed, police teams arrived at the spot. They tried to pacify both sides but seeing the situation getting worse, they took along two NTA observers to Partappura police post.

Members of the Sikh Talmel Committee held a protest for nearly two hours and pacified only after the NTA officials issued a written apology for the same.