Latest news with #JammuandKashmirStudents'Association
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Kashmiri Muslim doctor forgoes DNB seat in Coimbatore hospital over beard row
The Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association on Thursday alleged that a Muslim doctor from Kashmir Valley was forced to forgo his DNB (nephrology) seat at a Coimbatore-based private hospital, after he was asked to sign a 'policy document' that 'prohibited' sporting a beard. The association sought the intervention of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in the matter. The letter, posted on X, alleged that Zubair Ahmad faced religious discrimination at the Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH). However, hospital sources alleged that he was only asked to trim his beard. Association national convenor Nasir Khuehami said Dr. Ahmad was allotted the seat through the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Super Specialty (NEET SS) courses. When the allottee went to the hospital for completing admission formalities, he was allegedly instructed to sign a 'policy document' that prohibited the sporting of a beard, 'a condition that directly contradicts his religious obligations as a practising Muslim', the association alleged. It alleged that despite offering to conceal his beard with a surgical mask and expressing willingness to comply with all hygiene protocols and institutional dress codes, the hospital administration told him that failure to trim or shave his beard would result in denial of enrolment. According to the association, had the policy on the beard been transparently disclosed during the counselling process, the doctor would not have applied to the institution. Request to NBEMS Dr. Ahmad had no other choice but to withdraw from the programme. He had requested permission from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to attend the third round of counselling and sought the return of his security deposit of ₹2 lakh made during the admission process. A hospital source alleged that since Dr. Ahmad had a very long beard, which could not be covered with a mask, he was merely asked to trim it. Since a doctor pursuing DNB (nephrology) must undergo training in operation theatres, where complex procedures, including organ harvesting and transplantation, are performed, he was told a very long beard might come in contact with the operating area or surgical equipment. However, the doctor did not want to trim the beard and left without joining the course, the source said. The source said Muslim students from Jammu and Kashmir study at the hospital and there was no restrictions for anyone to keep neatly trimmed beards. Besides requesting the doctor and advising him to join the course, a Kashmiri student also spoke to a Muslim cleric in Srinagar on the mater. The cleric also told the doctor there was nothing wrong in trimming the beard to follow hygiene practices as part of medical education, the hospital source said. After the doctor wrote to NBEMS alleging denial of seat, the hospital was asked to admit him. The hospital replied that he was not denied admission and he was permitted to join. The NBEMS later extended the time for the doctor to join the hospital, the source said. The hospital's Medical Director refused to comment on the matter. Though attempts were made to reach the students' association over phone for further clarifications, it did not respond.
News18
21-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Papa, Save Me': Noida Student Recounts Iran Bombing Horror Before Rescue Flight To India
Last Updated: An Indian student, Zoya, sent a message to her father on June 13 mentioning an attack by Israel on Iran's military base. Amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, a flight with 290 Indian students landed in Delhi on Friday. The development came as Iran opened its airspace for the evacuation of nearly 1,000 Indians. Of the students who landed on Friday, one was Zoya Rizwi from Noida. Zoya, who was received by an emotional father at the airport, had written to him on June 13, saying, 'Papa, save me," reported NDTV. Recounting the current situation, she was quoted as saying by NDTV, 'I got really scared. There was an attack close to the place I was staying." According to the report, in her message to her father on June 13, Zoya had mentioned an attack by Israel on Iran's military base. 'They have attacked a military base. If I have ever said anything wrong to you, please forgive me. I am going to sleep now. You will know tomorrow if I am alive or not," read her message. She told the outlet about seeing bombings. 'There was an attack close to the place I was staying," she said. Zoya also extended gratitude to the Indian government for helping the students. 'The Indian embassy helped a lot, they relocated us, first to Qom, then Mashhad… Then the airspace was opened, so we came here from Mashhad," she said. Syeda Farwa, another student who landed on Friday and hails from Jammu and Kashmir, also recounted seeing drone attacks while she was in Iran. She also added that she wants to go back when the situation gets better. Meanwhile, as a part of Operation Sindhu, 256 more Indian students, majorly from Kashmir, landed at Delhi airport on Sunday. 'Thanks to the Government of India for its efforts and timely coordination with Iranian authorities. We remain committed to ensuring the safe evacuation of all remaining students, especially those from vulnerable and remote regions," the Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association said in a statement. It was the second flight within 24 hours under Operation Sindhu. First Published: June 21, 2025, 21:45 IST
News18
21-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Another Flight From Iran Brings 310 Indians Home, Total Evacuated Now 827
With this latest arrival, the total number of Indians evacuated from Iran has reached 827 Another evacuation flight carrying 310 Indian nationals from Mashhad, Iran, landed in New Delhi at 4:30pm on Saturday, further advancing India's ongoing repatriation efforts. With this latest arrival, the total number of Indians evacuated from Iran has reached 827, underscoring the government's continued commitment to ensuring the safe return of its citizens amidst challenging circumstances. Flight Brings Back 256 Indian Students A Mahan Air evacuation flight carrying 256 Indian students—most of them from the Kashmir Valley—safely landed at Delhi airport on Saturday, offering a much-needed sense of relief to anxious families back home. The students, who had been stranded in Iran amid growing regional tensions, appeared visibly fatigued yet relieved after enduring several harrowing days marked by uncertainty and fear. The Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association, which has been closely coordinating with authorities, expressed gratitude for the swift response. 'Thanks to the Government of India for its efforts and timely coordination with Iranian authorities. We remain committed to ensuring the safe evacuation of all remaining students, especially those from vulnerable and remote regions," the association said in a statement. The group also confirmed that another evacuation flight is expected to arrive in Delhi around 11:30 pm on Saturday, continuing the large-scale repatriation effort. This latest arrival marks the second such flight in less than 24 hours under the Ministry of External Affairs' Operation Sindhu. Late Friday night, another evacuation flight from Mashhad brought home 290 Indian students, primarily from Jammu and Kashmir. Indian authorities, working in close coordination with their Iranian counterparts, facilitated the students' movement from Tehran to Mashhad, where they were able to board the repatriation flights. In a significant diplomatic gesture, Iran opened its airspace specifically to support India's evacuation efforts.
NDTV
21-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
3rd Evacuation Flight Carrying Indians From Iran Lands In Delhi
New Delhi: The Mahan Air evacuation flight carrying over 256 Indians, most of them students from Kashmir valley, landed in Delhi this evening. Many families have been anxiously waiting for their children's safe return. The students were tired after enduring days of uncertainty and fear in the conflict zone in Iran, the Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association said. The association thanked the Union government for the evacuation efforts and timely coordination with the Iranian authorities. Others who had been to Iran as tourists or for business also expressed relief after landing in Delhi. "The situation was bad there. We saw some missile attacks," a woman who returned from Iran carrying her baby told NDTV outside Delhi airport after they came out of the terminal. In all, nearly 1,000 Indian nationals are being brought home through a series of special flights. Two additional flights, including one from Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat (expected arrival around 3 am on Sunday), are also scheduled.
New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'Saw missiles, heard bombs, Tehran in ruins': Indian students recall Iran-Israel conflict horror
NEW DELHI: "We saw missiles in the sky and heard bombs in our neighbourhood... We were petrified", said MBBS student Mir Khalif, his voice still trembling with fear, as he stepped out of the Delhi airport after being evacuated from war-hit Iran under Operation Sindhu. Khalif arrived in the national capital early Thursday in the first evacuation flight carrying 110 Indian students as part of the special operation launched by the Indian government in response to the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. The students, including 90 from Jammu and Kashmir, were moved from Tehran to Armenia earlier this week as explosions and aerial attacks rocked Iranian cities. The rescue was coordinated by the Indian Embassy. Khalif, who hails from Kashmir, described the experience in Iran as a nightmare. "We saw missiles and heard bombings. It was a war zone. Our building shook during the attacks. I hope no student has to face what we did," he said. Varta, another student from Kashmir, recalled the fear she lived through. "The situation was quite critical. We were terrified when our neighbourhood was attacked. When the Indian government reached our doorstep, we felt relieved," she said, thanking the Indian Embassy and Armenian authorities for their swift support. Ali Akbar, a student from Delhi, said the destruction was visible everywhere. "We saw a missile and a drone fall from the sky while travelling in a bus. Tehran is in ruins. The images on the news are real, the situation is very bad," he said. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh reached the Delhi airport to receive the students. Later, in a post on X, he said, "Warmly welcomed home the first group of 110 Indian nationals evacuated from Iran as part of Operation Sindhu, reaffirming India's steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad." Singh confirmed that evacuation efforts under Operation Sindhu are ongoing, with more flights scheduled. "Another plane is ready to leave today. We are also evacuating people from Turkmenistan. Our missions are running 24-hour helplines. As the situation unfolds, more flights will follow," he told reporters, thanking the governments of Armenia and Turkmenistan for their cooperation. At the Delhi airport, many parents waited anxiously to reunite with their children. Haider Ali, father of MBBS student Maaz Haider, said, "We are happy and grateful, but our hearts are still heavy knowing that many students are still stuck in Tehran. We urge the government to bring them back too." Parvez Alam from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, whose son studied in Urmia, said, "We were under constant stress. The students were shifted to Armenia and looked after well. We thank the government for this." The Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for the evacuation.
