HJS leads massive protest at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Collectorate against administrative high-handedness
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar – “In this sacred land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Dharmaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the act of forcing Hindu women to remove their Mangalsutras is a reflection of administrative high-handedness. Officials who have trampled upon Hindu religious sentiments under the pretext of security checks must be suspended immediately and face criminal prosecution. The Hindu community will no longer remain silent,” warned Ms Priyanka Lone, Coordinator of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) organised a massive protest in front of the Collector’s office today, condemning the forced removal of Mangalsutras and other sacred jewellery at CTET examination centres on 8 February.
In this sacred land of #ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj and #Dharmaveer_Chhatrapati_SambhajiMaharaj, the act of forcing #Hindu women to remove their Mangalsutras is a reflection of the administration’s high-handedness.
Protesting against the forced removal of Mangalsutras and jewelry… pic.twitter.com/hcO9uRYm3W
— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) February 10, 2026
The demonstration saw a large turnout of women, including Mrs Sarika Kolte from Shivpratishthan Hindustan and Ms Shruti Sirsat of the Ranragini wing. Activists chanted slogans against the administration’s discriminatory policies and submitted a formal memorandum to the District Collector demanding swift justice.
Addressing the gathered protestors, Ms Priyanka Lone emphasised that in Hinduism, the Mangalsutra is not a mere ornament but a sacred symbol of faith. “Why does an administration that respects the ‘religious freedom’ of other faiths see only ‘metal’ in Hindu symbols? This blatant discrimination will not be tolerated. Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to practice their religion; this harassment is an insult to the Constitution itself,” she stated.
Ms Lone further questioned the lack of accountability regarding the safety of the items, asking who would have been responsible had the expensive jewellery, forced to be left unsecured outside the exam halls been stolen.
The HJS has put forward the following demands to the administration:
- Immediate suspension and initiation of criminal proceedings against the guilty Centre Heads and staff involved in the incident.
- The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) must issue a clear, formal circular permitting Hindu religious symbols, such as the Mangalsutra, toe-rings (jodvi), nose-rings, and bindis during examinations.
A stern warning was issued that any repetition of such incidents will trigger a massive public outcry and nationwide agitation.
