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Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
J-K student body alleges hijab ban at Karnataka nursing college, seeks CM Siddaramaiah's intervention
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) Tuesday sought the immediate intervention of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after four Kashmiri students were allegedly prevented from attending classes at a nursing college in Bengaluru for wearing the hijab or burkha. In a representation to the chief minister, the association alleged that the management of Sri Soubhagya Lalitha College of Nursing threatened the students with expulsion. Nasir Khuehami, national convener of the JKSA, claimed that students had been denied entry into classrooms and practical sessions for the past several days solely because of their religious attire. 'These Kashmiri female students have been systematically targeted, humiliated, and denied their fundamental right to education because they wear the burkha or abaya — an expression of modesty, dignity, and identity rooted in their religious and personal beliefs,' he said. According to Khuehami, the college chairman entered the classroom and ordered hijab-wearing students to leave immediately. 'When the students sought clarification, they were told, 'This is our college; only our rules apply.' The chairman and principal allegedly threatened to terminate their admissions and withhold academic records if they continued to wear the hijab,' he said. Khuehami stated that the students were warned they would not be permitted on campus unless they removed their hijabs. He noted that there is no official or legal policy in place to enforce such a ban. Additionally, he claimed that the students were instructed to adhere to 'so-called university rules' that prohibit hijabs and burqas, which he argued do not exist under law. The college administration was also said to have justified its stance by claiming that other students had objected to the presence of hijab-wearing peers. 'The chairman reportedly told the students that 'hijab and purdah are not allowed for medical students anywhere in the country, not even in Kashmir', and even declared that 'no article or fundamental right is applicable in our college',' Khuehami said, calling these remarks 'absurd, Islamophobic stereotypes'. Terming the college's conduct a 'direct and dangerous violation' of the Constitution, Khuehami said the institution had failed to uphold the rights guaranteed under Articles 25 (freedom of religion), 15 (prohibition of discrimination), and 21A (right to education). 'Forcing students to choose between their faith and their education is both unconscionable and unconstitutional,' he said. Meanwhile, the director of student welfare at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), to which the college is affiliated, has launched an investigation into the incident. Riyaz Basha, registrar (evaluation), told The Indian Express, 'We have already heard the submission made by the college principal and the chairman. We have called the Kashmiri students to RGUHS to hear their account, after which we will take appropriate action in line with government norms,' said Basha. According to the submissions made by the college management, the officials had only directed the removal of hijabs for identification purposes before entering the practical class. 'The college management clarified that they asked the girls to remove the hijab with a veil, for identification and verification purposes, so that there is no impersonation, before entering the practical classes. However, they were asked to wear it back later. Additionally, burkha or hijab is not allowed at clinical postings or patient visits. Instead, students should stick to the uniforms (apron) for such purposes,' said Basha. He added, 'At the outset, RGUHS ensures there is no such discrimination on a religious basis. Rules are enforced in line with patient care and students' interests.' In 2022, Karnataka witnessed a hijab controversy when a government pre-university college in Udupi banned the attire inside classrooms. This led to protests by many students, and the controversy sparked counter-protests from Hindu students who wore saffron shawls. The Karnataka government then banned religious attire in institutions with mandatory dress codes, and the Karnataka High Court upheld the government order. The matter later reached the Supreme Court, which delivered a split verdict and referred it to a larger bench for a final ruling. Sanath Prasad is a senior sub-editor and reporter with the Bengaluru bureau of Indian Express. He covers education, transport, infrastructure and trends and issues integral to Bengaluru. He holds more than two years of reporting experience in Karnataka. His major works include the impact of Hijab ban on Muslim girls in Karnataka, tracing the lives of the victims of Kerala cannibalism, exploring the trends in dairy market of Karnataka in the aftermath of Amul-Nandini controversy, and Karnataka State Elections among others. If he is not writing, he keeps himself engaged with badminton, swimming, and loves exploring. ... Read More
New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
J&K students association asks Karnataka CM to intervene
BENGALURU: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking immediate action over an alleged case of religious discrimination at Sri Soubhagya Lalitha College of Nursing in Banashankari, affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS). According to the association, several Kashmiri female students have been barred from attending classes for wearing the hijab or burkha. In a letter to the CM on Tuesday, the JKSA alleged that the students have faced repeated harassment over several days, being denied entry into classrooms and practical sessions and threatened with expulsion if they continued to wear their religious attire. Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the JKSA, stated that the college chairman ordered hijab-wearing students to leave immediately. When questioned the directive, they said, 'This is our college; only our rules apply.' The chairman and principal allegedly warned the students that further defiance could result in termination and withholding of academic records.
India Today
15-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Students' body urges Siddaramaiah to act against nursing college over hijab ban
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has appealed to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to urgently intervene in an incident of alleged religious discrimination at a nursing college in a letter written to the chief minister, the JKSA stated that female students from Kashmir at Sri Soubhagya Lalitha College of Nursing were barred from attending classes and threatened with expulsion for wearing the hijab or burqa. The college is affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS).advertisement'These Kashmiri female students have been systematically targeted, humiliated, and denied their fundamental right to education solely because they choose to wear the burkha or abaya,' the Association said in the letter. JKSA's National Convenor Nasir Khuehami claimed the college chairman entered a classroom and ordered hijab-wearing students to leave. When questioned, the chairman allegedly said, 'This is our college; only our rules apply,' and warned the students they would be terminated and their records withheld if they did not Association stressed that no legal or university policy prohibits hijab or burkha in classrooms, calling the enforcement of such a ban illegal and discriminatory. Khuehami noted that the administration justified the move by citing objections from other students and claimed, 'hijab and pardah are not allowed for medical students anywhere in the country.'JKSA condemned these remarks as 'absurd, Islamophobic stereotypes' and described the incident as a 'dangerous violation' of constitutional rights, citing Articles 25, 15, and 21A of the Indian the emotional and psychological toll, Khuehami said: 'It is heartbreaking and enraging in equal measure that students from a conflict-affected now being subjected to such humiliation and trauma.'The Association warned that the incident sends a chilling message to all minority students and undermines Karnataka's legacy of inclusivity. It urged the Chief Minister to direct the Education Department, RGUHS, and the Minority Commission to investigate the matter and ensure that affected students can return to class without compromising their religious also called for disciplinary action against the college officials involved and emphasised the need to restore trust among Kashmiri students studying in the state.- Ends
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jammu and Kashmir Students Association writes to PM Modi and EAM S Jaishankar, expresses gratitude for safe evacuation from Iran
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Students Association JKSA )wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar , on Saturday, expressing gratitude for the evacuation of 1,300 Kashmiri students from conflict-hit Iran JKSA wrote, "We, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, on behalf of thousands of relieved and grateful families across the Kashmir Valley, extend our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to you and your government for the swift, decisive, and compassionate evacuation of over 1,300 Kashmiri students and other families from the Islamic Republic of Iran, amid the rapidly escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel.""This intervention brought immense relief, joy, and emotional solace to the families who had spent countless sleepless nights, consumed by fear and uncertainty regarding the safety of their children. The students were terrified, traumatised, and in extremely vulnerable positions. Their families were in deep distress, pleading for help and the safe return of their wards. These students, trapped in cities like Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Qom, Gilan, Tabriz, Yazd, and Ahvaz, endured severe psychological distress amid active conflict zones. The safe return of these students to their homeland, and into the arms of their anxious and long-waiting families especially in Jammu and Kashmir brought an end to days of fear and uncertainty, offering much-needed emotional peace and relief," the letter Students Association said that the attack near the Hujjatdost Dormitory at Tehran University of Medical Sciences left two Kashmiri students injured. Still, students were immediately relocated after the matter was brought to the attention of the MEA."Sir, your government's timely intervention came at a moment when hope was beginning to fade. While citizens of other nations were left to face the risks on their own, without support or assistance, Indian students remained under constant threat. The attack near the Hujjatdost Dormitory at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, which left two Kashmiri students injured, highlighted the grave danger they were facing. After we raised the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs , the students were immediately relocated to safer locations and provided due care. Following your personal and governmental intervention, they were finally evacuated on 19 special flights under Operation Ganga and returned safely to their respective native places in Kashmir. Your response to our urgent appeals ensured that their suffering did not go unheard," the Association gratitude, the Students Association added, "We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your prompt and effective intervention in facilitating the safe evacuation of our students. The timely and coordinated efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), under your leadership and guidance, ensured that all 1,300 Kashmiri students and other families were safely brought back to India and reunited with their families.""The prompt assistance provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) brought tremendous relief to the frightened and anxious families across the Valley. The care and priority given to the safety of Kashmiri students from the initial response to the final leg of their journey was nothing short of exemplary. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association had written to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister, who took up the matter immediately from day one, as soon as the escalation began. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy remained in constant touch with us from the very first day the conflict and escalation began between Iran and Israel. Your swift response and prioritisation of the students' safety led to their successful and timely evacuation," the letter students thanked the Indian Embassy in Iran for ground-level coordination and communication."We are also deeply thankful for the crucial role played by the Indian Embassy in Iran as well. Their on-ground coordination, efficient handling of documentation, and sensitive communication with the students and their institutions were pivotal in ensuring their safety. The coordinated travel arrangements to border crossings, relocations to safer zones like Mashad, Qom, Ramsar, and Armenia, and final airlifts to India via Mashad and Yerevan were masterfully executed," the students added that the students who had lost their passports or faced documentation issues were also assisted."Students who had lost their passports or faced documentation issues were also assisted swiftly, thanks to your direct intervention. The MEA's sensitive and efficient handling of such challenges ensured no student was left behind," the letter further the communication efforts, the student body added, "The setting up of emergency helplines, creation of WhatsApp and Telegram-based crisis communication channels, and direct embassy-student coordination were all hallmarks of a humane, efficient, and responsive evacuation process. These measures must be acknowledged as a benchmark in citizen protection and evacuation diplomacy.""Sir, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association recognises that this evacuation was more than a logistical exercise; it was a deeply humanitarian act rooted in national duty and compassion. Your leadership sent a clear message to every Kashmiri household that; their children matter, their lives are valued, and the Indian government stands resolutely by its citizens, regardless of geography or adversity," the students wrote."This act of care and timely intervention has not only saved lives but has renewed faith in the protective embrace of the Indian government especially among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom have long yearned for such responsive and inclusive governance," the letter Association also noted the Centre's efforts in evacuating during conflicts across the and Kashmir Students Association wrote, "This is not the first instance of the Government of India standing firmly for its citizens. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Bangladesh reservation crisis, the Afghanistan-U.S. war, and the Syrian unrest, your government's efforts ensured the safety and return of thousands of Indian citizens, many of them from Jammu and Kashmir.""Such actions reflect the Government of India's, the Ministry of External Affairs', and the Indian Embassy's consistent dedication to ensuring the safety, dignity, and even religious aspirations of Indian citizens, particularly those from Jammu and Kashmir. The PMO and MEA's commitment has been a beacon of hope and reassurance to distressed families in the most turbulent times," the letter on Wednesday night, a special flight carrying 272 Indian nationals and three Nepalese citizens stranded in conflict-hit Iran's Mashhad landed safely in New Delhi, taking the total number of people evacuated under Operation Sindhu to 3,426. Evacuees thanked the Iranian and Indian governments for evacuating them from conflict-hit Iran under Operation Sindhu.
India Gazette
28-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
JKSA writes to PM Modi and EAM S Jaishankar, expresses gratitude for safe evacuation from Iran
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA)wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Saturday, expressing gratitude for the evacuation of 1,300 Kashmiri students from conflict-hit Iran. JKSA wrote, 'We, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, on behalf of thousands of relieved and grateful families across the Kashmir Valley, extend our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to you and your government for the swift, decisive, and compassionate evacuation of over 1,300 Kashmiri students and other families from the Islamic Republic of Iran, amid the rapidly escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel.' 'This intervention brought immense relief, joy, and emotional solace to the families who had spent countless sleepless nights, consumed by fear and uncertainty regarding the safety of their children. The students were terrified, traumatised, and in extremely vulnerable positions. Their families were in deep distress, pleading for help and the safe return of their wards. These students, trapped in cities like Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Qom, Gilan, Tabriz, Yazd, and Ahvaz, endured severe psychological distress amid active conflict zones. The safe return of these students to their homeland, and into the arms of their anxious and long-waiting families especially in Jammu and Kashmir brought an end to days of fear and uncertainty, offering much-needed emotional peace and relief,' the letter read. The Students Association said that the attack near the Hujjatdost Dormitory at Tehran University of Medical Sciences left two Kashmiri students injured. Still, students were immediately relocated after the matter was brought to the attention of the MEA. 'Sir, your government's timely intervention came at a moment when hope was beginning to fade. While citizens of other nations were left to face the risks on their own, without support or assistance, Indian students remained under constant threat. The attack near the Hujjatdost Dormitory at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, which left two Kashmiri students injured, highlighted the grave danger they were facing. After we raised the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs, the students were immediately relocated to safer locations and provided due care. Following your personal and governmental intervention, they were finally evacuated on 19 special flights under Operation Ganga and returned safely to their respective native places in Kashmir. Your response to our urgent appeals ensured that their suffering did not go unheard,' the Association wrote. Expressing gratitude, the Students Association added, 'We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your prompt and effective intervention in facilitating the safe evacuation of our students. The timely and coordinated efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), under your leadership and guidance, ensured that all 1,300 Kashmiri students and other families were safely brought back to India and reunited with their families.' 'The prompt assistance provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) brought tremendous relief to the frightened and anxious families across the Valley. The care and priority given to the safety of Kashmiri students from the initial response to the final leg of their journey was nothing short of exemplary. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association had written to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister, who took up the matter immediately from day one, as soon as the escalation began. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy remained in constant touch with us from the very first day the conflict and escalation began between Iran and Israel. Your swift response and prioritisation of the students' safety led to their successful and timely evacuation,' the letter read. The students thanked the Indian Embassy in Iran for ground-level coordination and communication. 'We are also deeply thankful for the crucial role played by the Indian Embassy in Iran as well. Their on-ground coordination, efficient handling of documentation, and sensitive communication with the students and their institutions were pivotal in ensuring their safety. The coordinated travel arrangements to border crossings, relocations to safer zones like Mashad, Qom, Ramsar, and Armenia, and final airlifts to India via Mashad and Yerevan were masterfully executed,' the students wrote. They added that the students who had lost their passports or faced documentation issues were also assisted. 'Students who had lost their passports or faced documentation issues were also assisted swiftly, thanks to your direct intervention. The MEA's sensitive and efficient handling of such challenges ensured no student was left behind,' the letter further read. Lauding the communication efforts, the student body added, 'The setting up of emergency helplines, creation of WhatsApp and Telegram-based crisis communication channels, and direct embassy-student coordination were all hallmarks of a humane, efficient, and responsive evacuation process. These measures must be acknowledged as a benchmark in citizen protection and evacuation diplomacy.' 'Sir, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association recognises that this evacuation was more than a logistical exercise; it was a deeply humanitarian act rooted in national duty and compassion. Your leadership sent a clear message to every Kashmiri household that; their children matter, their lives are valued, and the Indian government stands resolutely by its citizens, regardless of geography or adversity,' the students wrote. 'This act of care and timely intervention has not only saved lives but has renewed faith in the protective embrace of the Indian government especially among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom have long yearned for such responsive and inclusive governance,' the letter added. The Association also noted the Centre's efforts in evacuating during conflicts across the globe. Jammu and Kashmir Students Association wrote, 'This is not the first instance of the Government of India standing firmly for its citizens. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Bangladesh reservation crisis, the Afghanistan-U.S. war, and the Syrian unrest, your government's efforts ensured the safety and return of thousands of Indian citizens, many of them from Jammu and Kashmir.' 'Such actions reflect the Government of India's, the Ministry of External Affairs', and the Indian Embassy's consistent dedication to ensuring the safety, dignity, and even religious aspirations of Indian citizens, particularly those from Jammu and Kashmir. The PMO and MEA's commitment has been a beacon of hope and reassurance to distressed families in the most turbulent times,' the letter read. Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, a special flight carrying 272 Indian nationals and three Nepalese citizens stranded in conflict-hit Iran's Mashhad landed safely in New Delhi, taking the total number of people evacuated under Operation Sindhu to 3,426. Evacuees thanked the Iranian and Indian governments for evacuating them from conflict-hit Iran under Operation Sindhu. (ANI)
