Hijab Then, Janiwara Now: Female Karnataka Students Asked To Remove ‘Religious Thread’ At Exam Centres
New Age Islam News Bureau
19 April 2025
· Hijab Then, Janiwara Now: Female Karnataka Students Asked To Remove ‘Religious Thread’ At Exam Centres
· Female-Led Team Shapes The Emirati Narrative At The Six-Month World’s Fair, Osaka Expo, In Japan
· Three UAE Women Selected For 2025 Young Global Leaders Council At World Economic Forum
· Liberal Campaign Volunteer Wearing Hijab Says She Was Harassed And Followed, Toronto Police Investigate
· Women Against Violence On Women Slams Govt Over Meghna Alam's Arrest Process
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/hijab-female-karnataka-religious-students/d/135234
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Hijab Then, Janiwara Now: Female Karnataka Students Asked To Remove ‘Religious Thread’ At Exam Centres
Apr 19, 2025
Exam with school student having a educational test, thinking hard, writing answer in classroom for university education admission and world literacy day concept
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In what appears to echo the 2022 controversy over Muslim students wearing hijab and burqa during pre-university examinations, two incidents during the ongoing Common Entrance Test (CET) in Karnataka have sparked a fresh controversy over dress code and religious freedom.
In the first incident, on 16 April in Shivamogga, two students at Aadichunchanagiri Independent Pre-University (PU) College were allegedly asked to remove their janiwara and kashidhara – religious threads traditionally worn by Brahmin men – during frisking before being allowed into the examination hall.
The Akhila Bharat Brahmana Mahasabha alleged that three students were involved. According to the group, one student refused to comply but was still allowed to sit the examination. The other two were reportedly required to remove the threads before proceeding inside.
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) publishes a dress code for CET candidates on its website, outlining clothing and accessories permitted during the examination. It prohibits metal ornaments, rings, and bracelets, but does not explicitly mention Janiwara or other religious threads.
Attempts to reach KEA officials for comment were unsuccessful.
Following the incident, the students informed their parents, leading to a confrontation between members of the community and college staff. In a video of the confrontation that has since gone viral on social media, members of the Brahmin community can be heard demanding whether the staff would dare to do the same to other communities.
Police were present and ensured the situation remained under control.
Student refuses to comply, misses exam
Similarly, Suchivrat Kulkarni, another CET aspirant from Bidar, was also reportedly asked to remove his janiwara at the CET examination centre at Saispoorthi PU College near Goompa. He refused and returned home without writing the examination.
His mother, Neetha Kulkarni, explained the religious significance of the thread, saying, “We organise a Upanayana for the boys before we make them wear this sacred thread. It must be removed only during somebody’s death in the family. It cannot be removed anytime we want to.”
She said the college staff had not raised any objection on the first day of examinations.
“On the first day of the examination on Wednesday, they had not asked him to remove the sacred thread,” she said. “On the second day, they forced him to remove it. Despite many requests my son made to the authorities, they did not allow him to enter the examination hall.”
She added that her son had spent two years preparing for the CET with the goal of pursuing Computer Science engineering.
“We spent over two lakhs for CET coaching. Now, our dreams are shattered,” she added.
Inquiry ordered
In response to the Shivamogga incident, members of the Akhila Bharat Brahmana Mahasabha submitted a petition to the District Commissioner, Gurudatt Hegde, calling for an inquiry.
Karnataka’s Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, MadhuBangarappa, said he had directed officials to investigate.
“I have asked the department officials to investigate this issue. A strict action will be taken against those who were involved in this,” he told reporters in Bengaluru.
In Bidar, ShashidharKosambe, a member of the Karnataka Child Rights Panel, visited Suchivrat’s family and assured them of support.
District in-charge Minister Eshwar B Khandre also issued a letter directing officials to submit a detailed report within 24 hours.
“Strict action shall be taken against those officials involved in this. An enquiry must happen and the report must be submitted,” the letter said.
Higher Education Minister, MC Sudhakar, condemned the incident and has sought a detailed report from the district commissioners of Shivamogga and Bidar. “There is no such protocol of removing janivara in the exam. We have taken this issue seriously. Once we receive the report, we will act as per the law against officials,” he said.
In the case of the boy from Bidar having missed the Mathematics exam, Sudhakar said, “I will discuss with the officials and see what alternative can be done to secure the boy’s future. This is a unique case. We have never held an exam for a person or group of people for any such reasons.”
BJP escalates row
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC N Ravikumar said students affected by the dress code enforcement should be allowed to retake the examination.
“Bidar student should be given a re-examination. I do not know whether this government has humanity or not. What kind of culture is this that says, to remove janiwara?,” he said.
Do they have the courage to tell other community to take off their burqa and come? Students who missed the examination should be given the opportunity to write the examination again.”
Similarly, BJP MP PC Mohan invoked poet Kuvempu and seventeenth century Muslim ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, to suggest the incidents were inconsistent with Karnataka’s cultural values.
“In Bidar, a student wearing a janivara was not allowed to appear for the CET examination and in Shivamogga, a student’s janivara was forcibly removed and thrown into a dustbin. This is not the Karnataka Kuvempu dreamt of; this is the Karnataka Tipu Sultan dreamt of,” he wrote in a post on X.
Source: thesouthfirst.com
https://thesouthfirst.com/karnataka/hijab-then-janivara-now-students-asked-to-remove-thread-at-exam-centres-probe-ordered/
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Female-Led Team Shapes The Emirati Narrative At The Six-Month World’s Fair, Osaka Expo, In Japan
April 18, 2025
Emirati poet Shamma Al Bastaki oversees content development at the UAE pavilion in Osaka. Victor Besa / The National
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Inside a tall glass-encased structure at the Expo Osaka 2025, Japanese families breathe in the fragrance from a hand-carved earthen incense burner inside the UAE pavilion, watched closely by the close-knit team who have brought it all to life.
Young couples touch date palm reeds that stretch high above them in an oasis recreated with more than two million palm fronds, as children sit on rugs spread across the pavilion to watch as their parents brush their fingers across bold black and white threads woven on a traditional wooden loom. The team behind it is a group led by women that has worked closely with hundreds of UAE and Japanese craftspeople, woodcarvers, architects, designers and suppliers.
They tell the nation’s story using artefacts from iron and silver khanjars (daggers) to touchscreens that detail the UAE's progress in space exploration, sustainability and solar energy. With the title Earth to Ether, the pavilion tells of a nation proud of its heritage, whose people have sky-high ambitions.
Sourcing date palm waste
Mariam Al Memari, the head of the UAE Expo Office, speaks of the collective effort to build the pavilion using agricultural waste, discarded date palm trees and leaves in Japan. It took meticulous planning to source date palm waste from farmers in the Middle East and North Africa region, she told The National.
“What is really interesting about this participation is the UAE approach in bringing together different collaborations with partners and suppliers from Japan, the world and the UAE from design, to content to setting up the supply chains for us to actually to deliver this pavilion,” Ms Al Memari said.
This is the second time the World Expo has come to Osaka. The first time the city hosted it, in 1970, 64 million people visited, making it the most-visited world's fair of the 20th century. Abu Dhabi made its debut at that fair, with a pavilion inspired by a fort in Al Ain.
“This Expo is really special for us as we started our Expo journey through Abu Dhabi’s participation in 1970, and now we're back as the UAE more than 55 years later,” Ms Al Memari said. “Now we are showcasing our leading efforts in various fields such as space exploration, health care and sustainable technology.”
A place to rest
The massive glass walls work as an invitation, with visitors glancing into the clear structure and then walking in to explore further.
“It really feels like the UAE is saying 'welcome, you can come here and shelter'. And on days when it’s been raining, a lot of people use the pavilion as a place to rest,” said Shaikha Al Ketbi, the UAE pavilion's creative director. “We know it's physically challenging to see so many exhibitions at once and it's almost a relief when you find a place to sit. We considered that in our design to make people feel relaxed and welcome.”
Handwork by artisans from both countries created the entrance pergola that uses Japanese cedar topped with a canopy of khoos, an Emirati craft of weaving dried date palms. A traditional Emirati architectural technique called areesh is fused with detailed Japanese woodwork to mould the date palm reeds into 90 columns that soar 16 metres high.
“The entire design concept is rooted in the idea of areesh but we wanted to reinterpret what areesh can look like in the future,” Ms Al Ketbi said. “It was part of our past but how will it look in our future and how can we continue to incorporate it in buildings?”
Heritage and the future
A room at the back of the pavilion has people queuing up for short workshops on sadu, khoos and talli, traditional braiding, weaving and decorative embroidery demonstrated by Emirati craftswomen.
Visitors gather on chairs around a table, choose from pink, blue or gold threads, follow the steps shown by the Emirati women and listen to instructions in Japanese and English from guides. They leave with small souvenirs – keychains, bookmarks or miniature spindle replicas.
Several events and workshops have been planned throughout the six-month Expo. Shamma Al Bastaki, the narrative lead, said the response from visitors was overwhelming.
“It has been so rewarding and overwhelming, in a good way, to see how people have been interacting with the exhibits,” said Ms Al Bastaki, an Emirati poet who oversees content development and strategic storytelling. “It was always designed to be multisensory and tangible, but we didn't really expect the extent to which people would interact with each exhibit, from the scent of the oudh, to the scent of the palm on the columns.“
She read a poem, From the Earthly to the Ethereal, at the pavilion opening last week. “We want visitors to learn about the cutting edge work the UAE is doing through the content,” she said.
“The palm tree inspired the design if you see how the palm tree is rooted to the earth but reaches for the ether, for the cosmos and the stars. This reflects the UAE’s journey, how it’s always connected to its heritage but with sky-high ambitions when we highlight sustainability and space exploration.”
Source: thenationalnews.com
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2025/04/18/how-expo-2025-osaka-uae-pavilion/
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Three UAE Women Selected For 2025 Young Global Leaders Council At World Economic Forum
By Elias Al Helou
18 Apr 2025
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced the selection of three UAE women for membership in the Young Global Leaders Council 2025. Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Community Development; Meera Sultan Al Suwaidi, a member of the Federal National Council; and TukaWaddahAlhanai, an assistant professor of Computer Engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi, have all been recognized for their significant contributions to their fields.
Their inclusion in this prestigious global community further highlights the critical role Emirati youth play in leadership and decision-making across various sectors. This recognition reflects the international acknowledgment of the UAE’s development model and its inclusive approach to empowering young leaders, WAM reported.
Commitment to empowering women
This achievement stands as a testament to the UAE’s consistent commitment to empowering Emirati women and supporting their active participation across all sectors.
Additionally, the Young Global Leaders Council comprises exceptional leaders from public service, business, academia, media, civil society, and culture. Selected by the World Economic Council, members are recognized for their professional achievements and dedication to shaping a better global future.
Strong presence of young Emirati leaders
Young Emirati leaders further continue to maintain a strong presence at this global forum, which was founded in 2004 by Professor Klaus Schwab, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, and was officially launched in 2005. Moreover, each year, new members are chosen to join the council, which includes some of the world’s most outstanding young individuals in government, business, technology, and civil society, all working together to shape a better future for the world.
Furthermore, the World Economic Forum serves as the International Organisation for Public-Private Cooperation. It provides a global, impartial, and not-for-profit platform for meaningful connections between stakeholders to establish trust and build initiatives for cooperation and progress.
Source: economymiddleeast.com
https://economymiddleeast.com/news/world-economic-forum-three-uae-women-selected-for-2025-young-global-leaders-council/
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Liberal campaign volunteer wearing hijab says she was harassed and followed, Toronto police investigate
April 19, 2025
Toronto police are investigating after a Liberal campaign volunteer said she was harassed for wearing a hijab while door knocking and then followed down a street while walking away with other volunteers.
The young woman was subjected to racial slurs and aggressive questions, and criticized by a resident for wearing a hijab on Wednesday afternoon in her first day as a volunteer, said Salma Zahid, Liberal candidate for Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East.
Zahid said a male campaign volunteer who was next door intervened because he felt the woman might be attacked by the resident, a middle aged man. Three volunteers were door knocking and Zahid said the resident then followed the group for about one block.
"It is really unfortunate and disturbing to see incidents like this," Zahid said in an interview with CBC Toronto on Friday.
"Let's respect each other's views. It's OK to disagree, but incidents like this will only weaken our democratic process."
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday, Zahid said the volunteer was "very shaken" by the incident. Zahid said the volunteer has told her she will not go door knocking again.
"I want to be clear that this sort of incident has no place in our community. We are a welcoming and diverse community where people from around the world have chosen to call home," Zahid said in the post.
"Furthermore, as a woman who also wears the hijab, and was subjected to racist comments when I made this decision, I stand to be clear that no one — no government, no employer, no neighbour — has the right to tell a woman what she can and cannot choose to wear."
The incident happened in Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East and the address has been provided to police, according to Zahid's campaign office.
Salma Zahid, the federal Liberal candidate for Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East, says: 'It is really unfortunate and disturbing to see incidents like this.' (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
Const. Cindy Chung, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, said a report about the incident was filed and the investigation is continuing. Chung provided no other details.
On its website, the federal government says Islamophobia "includes racism, stereotypes, prejudice, fear or acts of hostility directed towards individual Muslims or followers of Islam in general."
'It's absolutely unacceptable,' advocacy group says
Reem Sheet, spokesperson for the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), an advocacy and lobby organization, said on Friday the council has been hearing reports of hate on the campaign trail across the country against various political parties.
Sheet said the council is concerned such incidents will discourage people from getting involved.
"I mean, unfortunately, it really is everywhere and it's absolutely unacceptable," Sheet said.
"It's so unfortunate that these volunteers are taking time out of their day to be a part of this election, and the reception they have been getting is just negative and sometimes even violent."
Source: yahoo.com
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/liberal-campaign-volunteer-wearing-hijab-203606646.html
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Women Against Violence on Women slams govt over Meghna Alam's arrest process
Apr 19, 2025
NariShohingshotarBiruddheNarira (Women Against Violence on Women), yesterday condemned the arrest process of model and Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020 Meghna Alam and demanded justice for the incident.
The organisation in a press release strongly condemned the human rights violation and rejected all excuses and explanations from the state.
The statement was signed on behalf of Women Against Violence on Women by human rights lawyer and activists Barrister Tabassum Mehenaz and Ishrat Jahan Prachy, writer and researcher ParsaSanjana Sajid, and anthropologist and filmmaker Nasrin Siraj.
The press release stated, "No matter how much things change, many things remain the same. In an echo of fascist tactics, members of the law enforcement and security agencies stormed the home of Meghna Alam, Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020, on April 9 and abducted her. They presented no warrant or specific allegations against her."
It further stated, "A Facebook Live video shows that plainclothes members of the security agencies entered her home without her permission. Immediately afterward, members of Women Against Violence on Women contacted Vatara Police Station and the Detective Branch (DB) to learn her whereabouts. But they were met only with obstacles and delays.
"More than 24 hours after Meghna Alam went missing, and following continuous pressure from the organisation, she was presented in court at around 1:30am on April 10 and sent to prison for 30 days under the Special Powers Act of 1974, a law dating back to the Mujib era," it added.
The statement said that they have also learned that a Saudi diplomat filed a complaint against her. Due to their strong campaign, the attention of other human rights and civil society organisations, and media scrutiny, the High Court on April 13 issued a rule asking the government to explain why Meghna Alam's detention under the SPA should not be declared illegal.
"However, on April 17, she was shown arrested in a new case filed at Dhanmondi Police Station, where she was accused of extortion, fraud, and being a threat to international relations. This new development does not legitimise the initial state behavior," the statement added.
Once again, this proves that the state apparatus is being used to serve the powerful, to conduct oppression in the name of law, and to rely on disgraceful excuses from government officials, it added.
The government has absolved itself of humane behaviour by using fear, misinformation, lies, character assassination, and misogynistic insinuations, and by trying to cover up the act of abducting a woman from her home without a warrant, it added.
Women Against Violence on Women stated that they deeply question why the legal adviser only admitted that Meghna Alam's arrest was unlawful after facing intense public criticism, while the home adviser and the special assistant to the chief adviser defended the incident as legal.
It also pointed out, "The DMP claimed Meghna Alam is in safe custody. Do they not know that, under the law, no person can be held in protective custody unless they themselves request it for their own safety? We also reject the initial explanation shared by the chief adviser's press secretary that stated 'all legal procedures were followed'."
Source: thedailystar.net
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/rights/news/women-against-violence-women-slams-govt-over-meghna-alams-arrest-process-3874546
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/hijab-female-karnataka-religious-students/d/135234