India, April 20 -- The principal and a staff member of Sai Spoorthi Pre-university College in Karnataka's Bidar district were suspended following a controversy that a student was allegedly forced to 'remove' his 'sacred thread' (janeu) before attending the state Common Entrance Test on April 17.

The controversy erupted in the southern state over allegations that some students were 'forced' to remove their 'sacred threads' by the security staff at some exam centres before attending the CET exam. Karnataka higher education minister MC Sudhakar termed the alleged incident as "unfortunate" and asserted that the process was smooth except two exam centres in Bidar and Shivamogga districts.

Bidar district authorities took "swift action", follo...