On 14th March, a video showing police personnel cutting a candidate’s kalawa during the Uttar Pradesh Police recruitment examination in Varanasi triggered outrage on social media. The UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board took cognisance of the incident and initiated action in the matter.
अभ्यर्थियों के धार्मिक चिन्हों जैसे कलावा , मंगलसूत्र आदि नहीं काटने के निर्देश पुलिस भर्ती बोर्ड द्वारा समस्त अधिकारियों को पूर्व से ही दिए गए हैं।
— Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment & Promotion Board (@upprpb) March 15, 2026
किंतु सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल वाराणसी के प्रकरण में एक पुलिसकर्मी द्वारा उसका उल्लंघन किया गया है।
इस उल्लंघन के दृष्टिगत…
The viral video shows police personnel outside an examination centre cutting the sacred thread tied on a candidate’s wrist. The incident sparked anger online. Several users questioned whether a kalawa, a religious symbol worn by many Hindus, could possibly be used for cheating during the examination.
UPPRPB says cutting religious symbols not allowed
UPPRPB took cognisance of the incident and stated that clear instructions had already been issued to all officials that religious symbols worn by candidates must not be removed or cut during the examination process.
Replying to the post on social media platform X, the board stated that directions were given that items such as kalawa, mangalsutra, and other religious or cultural symbols worn by candidates should not be removed or tampered with during security checks.
The board acknowledged that the police personnel seen in the video violated these instructions by cutting the candidate’s kalawa. Taking note of the violation, the board said that a letter has been issued to the Police Commissioner of Varanasi seeking disciplinary action against the concerned personnel.
