Assam police officers tender public apology at temple over sacred thread row at NEET centre

Guwahati: Two Assam Police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), on Tuesday offered a public apology at the historic Billeswar Devalaya in Nalbari district over the controversy surrounding the removal of a sacred thread from a Brahmin student during the NEET re-test.The two officials came under scrutiny and are facing an inquiry after they allegedly asked a student to remove his sacred thread during security screening before entering an exam centre.On Tuesday, the state home department transferred DSP Kusum Basumatary and posted him as DSP at the 21st Assam Police Battalion in Katlicherra, Hailakandi district, against an existing vacancy, with immediate effect. He was in charge of the NEET exam centre where the incident happened during frisking.At the temple, Basumatary said, “I apologise before the Hindu society and Brahmin society. We regret what has happened.”Explaining the circumstances, Basumatary said instead of cutting the sacred thread, Havildar Paban Kalita instructed the student to give it to his parents, who were present outside the venue. The student, Prasurjya Bharadwaj, who hails from Nalbari district, complied with the instruction.

Officials said private security personnel were also present during the frisking process and directed candidates to remove items that were not permitted inside the exam hall.Basumatary acknowledged that asking the student to remove the sacred thread was a big mistake. “We unknowingly made a mistake. Hopefully, such an incident will never be repeated,” he added.Kalita said confusion arose during the screening process as candidates were asked to remove or cut accessories, such as wristbands, at the entrance.

“We did not have adequate knowledge about sacred threads. That’s why we want to apologise to all at Billeswar Devalaya,” he added.Both officials offered prayers at the temple, which is over 500 years old and dedicated to Lord Shiva, and sought forgiveness from Brahmin organisations, the student’s family and the wider community.The student’s mother, Runumi Bhagawati, who was also present at the temple, recounted that the family was standing around 100 metres from the exam centre when the incident occurred.Family members said, in accordance with security guidelines, they had already removed the metal ring attached to the sacred thread before the exam. Prasurjya added that he was aware of the NTA regulations and had complied to them before arriving for the retest.Soon after the incident on Sunday, the Nalbari district administration ordered a magisterial inquiry. During the investigation, the student identified the police personnel allegedly involved in the matter.Based on the findings of the district administration’s preliminary probe, police also initiated a departmental inquiry. Havildar Paban Kalita was subsequently placed under reserve close.