AMBALA: The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) chairman Manbir Singh Bhadana sought to clarify that there would be no restrictions on initiated Sikh candidates carrying religious symbols into the examination halls during the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) preliminary examination scheduled to be held on Sunday. The candidates would have undergo frisking and checking according to rules, Ambala deputy commissioner (DC) Sharandeep Kaur Brar said.On Friday, certain groups had posted on social media a copy of an alleged order that said that any religious symbol should not be carried into the examination centre. Besides, there were also reports that ‘kakaars’ have been banned in HPSC examination. This was followed by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal calling the decision incorrect and promising to take it up with the Haryana government on Saturday.Even Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal had urged Haryana chief minister Manohal Lal Khattar to ask the HPSC not put a ban on symbols of their faith.On the other hand, HPSC officials said that some Sikh organisations mistakenly linked the ‘religious signs’ mentioned in the announcement to the five-kakaars carried by Baptised Sikhs.They added that it was in reference to some of the religious signs, like Om, Khanda, the Cross and religious lockets, which are often worn by some in the form of jewellery or ornaments.HPSC Chairman, Manbir Singh Bhadana said, “As per the standard practice, we cannot allow any such item into the examination hall which could be used as a weapon. Even bangles or Kara are not allowed into the examination hall due to certain issues related to breach of fair conduction of exam, as there are several high-tech technologies available in the market which could be used for cheating.”“We have appealed to the candidates that they must not wear any such items. However, in the cases of faith and religious sentiments, on March 30, we have issued another announcement on the website that candidates wearing objects of faith are allowed to enter in the examination centres only after proper checking/frisking and scanning to ensure no cheating material (in physical or electronic form) carried inside,” he added.

Stay updated with all the Latest Gurgaon headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.