The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) restricted all forms of head cover in the exam hall during recruitment exams for various boards and corporations to avoid malpractice.

Though the dress code does not explicitly ban hijab, it is implied by the new guidelines. The order said that this is part of the effort to stop exam malpractices using Bluetooth devices.

Earlier on November 6, a woman appearing for the Karnataka Public Service Commission examination was asked to remove her ‘mangalsutra’ before entering the exam hall.

After protests by Hindutva groups, the KEA has now allowed women to wear mangalasutra and toe rings in the examination hall while restricting other jewellery.

The recruitment exams of various boards and corporations are to be held on November 18 and 19 across the state.

Earlier in October, the Karnataka government had allowed students to wear the Hijab, during competitive exams. The Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar had allowed aspirants to come to examination centres wearing the Hijab sparking off protests by right-wing groups.

However, after complaints of usage of Bluetooth devices by certain students the state government this time decided to enforce the ban.

The State government had on November 11 ordered a probe by the state CID into an incident where candidates at Kalaburagi and Yadgir examination centres allegedly used Bluetooth devices for writing the exams conducted by the KEA in October, 2023.

The exam dress code restricts girls from wearing high heeled shoes, jeans and T-shirts, while men are permitted to wear half-sleeve shirts which are not tucked into their trousers.

In 2022, the Supreme Court had upheld the Karnataka government’s decision on banning the Hijab in classrooms that came under the state. The State government had at the time also extended this order to other Board exams like Class X and XII as well as the Common Entrance Test conducted by the KEA.

A video showing fireworks going off from a bike during a dangerous stunt has landed the rider in trouble. The footage from Tamil Nadu’s Trichy district has gone viral right after Diwali, prompting the cops to begin a hunt for the rider.

The video showed the biker performing a wheelie, in which a two-wheeler travels a short distance with its front wheels raised in the air.

The crackers, fitted on the headlight and the front number plate of the bike, went off as the rider speeded away with the front wheels in air.

The cops used the Instagram page ‘Devil Rider’, whose watermark can be seen on the video, to find out the motorbike owner’s details.

They are now on the lookout for the biker while his aide Ajay has been arrested.

A case has been registered for negligent riding and endangering the personal safety of others.

Delhi Vigilance Minister Atishi has submitted a 650-page primary report to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with a complaint against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar regarding the Bamnoli land acquisition matter, official sources said on Tuesday.

The complaint alleged that the chief secretary’s son was employed by a relative of a man who was awarded enhanced compensation for his land acquired for a road project.

“Atishi has submitted a 650-page report on the matter to Kejriwal. The report states that an undue gain of Rs 850 crore was earned in the matter. The land was bought near the Dwarka expressway at Rs 75 lakh only in 2015,” a source said.

There was no immediate reaction from the chief secretary.

Mr Kejriwal had asked Atishi to conduct an inquiry into the complaint.

The original award of the 19-acre land at Bamnoli, being acquired by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), was raised from Rs 41 crore to Rs 353 crore in May this year by the then district magistrate (South West) Hemant Kumar.

Hemant Kumar was later suspended by the Ministry of Home Affairs in connection with the matter.

In a press conference on Monday, Delhi government Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar said the allegations levelled against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar are baseless and part of “dirty politics”.