Removing janivara became controversy, but removal of thaali did not: Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna

'When the thaali was removed from a woman, the media didn’t even count it as news. Why? Because she was a Shudra woman,' he said.

Chikkamagaluru: "If a candidate’s janivara (sacred thread) is removed before entering the CET exam hall, it becomes a major controversy; but when a thaali (mangalsutra) is removed from a woman’s neck, it doesn’t even make the news," said Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna.

"I do not approve of removing the janivara, and I condemn it. The thaali holds as much significance as the janivara. Yet, that incident (referring to a past incident during NEET) did not become a controversy," he said in response to the mediapersons.

"When the thaali was removed from a woman, the media didn’t even count it as news. Why? Because she was a Shudra woman. If it's her thaali, it can be removed—but removing a janivara becomes a big issue. When oppression happens to the marginalised, no media or political leader speaks about it," he added.