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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
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
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
J&K Police counsel three teenagers over flag graffiti
A day after detaining two youth for displaying foreign flags, the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday (June 24, 2025) 'counselled' three teenage girls over a graffiti resembling the Israeli flag. A police spokesman said that when they received information about the graffiti painted on a road outside Imambara Zadibal, a team reached the spot and immediately removed it 'to maintain communal harmony and public order'. A preliminary enquiry revealed the involvement of three teenage girls, all students residing in the area. 'Given their age and the sensitivity of the act, their parents were called to the police station. The minors were counselled in their presence,' the police said. The police said further action would be strictly in accordance with the juvenile justice framework. On Monday (June 23, 2025), two local youth were detained for displaying flags of the U.S. and Israel in Balhama on the outskirts of the Srinagar city. A police spokesman said the two were displaying foreign flags during night hours 'in an apparent attempt to disturb public peace and order'. Probe into parading of theft accused Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Jammu, the police have initiated a preliminary enquiry against the police personnel involved in parading a man held on theft charge. The police action followed a public outcry after a video of the incident went viral on social media. 'The video shows a person with naked torso being garlanded with slippers and being paraded by police personnel of the Bakshi Nagar police station after making him sit on the bonnet of a police vehicle,' the police said. The police said the act calls for stern departmental action against those responsible. 'In order to ascertain the facts, a preliminary enquiry is hereby ordered and entrusted with the SDPO City North, Jammu, who will inquire into the matter and submit his findings within a week,' the police said. 'Inhuman treatment' Nasir Khuehami, a student activist and member of the J&K Students Association (JKSA), questioned the police action. 'Instead of following the standard procedure and keeping him inside the police van, the officers chose to parade him in full public display. How can the police justify such an inhuman and degrading treatment? This reek of medieval vigilantism,' Mr. Khuehami said. He said such grotesque public humiliation is not just a violation of the law, but an assault on human dignity and the very principles that underpin the justice system. 'Police are not mobs. They are the custodians of the law. The duty of an SHO is to investigate, not adjudicate to uphold justice, not to dispense punishment through public spectacle. Such crude displays of 'instant justice' erode public trust, delegitimise the institution, and push our democracy one step closer to the abyss of lawlessness,' he added.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
110 students, evacuated from Iran, board flight to INew Delhi
A flight carrying 110 Indian students, evacuated from Iran, which was expected to reach New Delhi by Wednesday night, will now land past midnight, said a senior officials of Jammu and Kashmir. The 110 students, including 90 from Kashmir, were evacuated to Armenia on Tuesday. The government of India had made all the arrangements for the return journey of all these students. These students had left Tehran on Monday and Tuesday morning towards the religious city of Qom. 'Approximately 110 Indian students from Urmia Medical University, including 90 from the Kashmir Valley, and others from different Indian states, successfully crossed the border into Armenia on Tuesday. We have spoken to the students, who safely reached the Armenian capital, Yerevan, and were accommodated at their designated hotels,' said Nasir Khuehami, convenor of Jammu and Kashmir Students Union. He said that they have been informed by the office of the external affairs minister that all tickets have been arranged free of cost by the Government of India. 'Also, we are receiving information from the ministry that tickets from Delhi to Srinagar are also being arranged to ensure a smooth and complete journey home for the students from Kashmir.' Khuehami said that the Indian students will arrive on an Indigo-bound flight from Doha to Delhi at around 10:15 pm. 'From Doha, they will board their connecting flight to Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport ) and are expected to reach Delhi at 10:15 pm. There is a possibility that the flight may experience a slight delay,' he said, adding that the association is closely monitoring the situation and remains in constant coordination with the students and authorities to ensure their safe return. Expressing his gratitude, Khuehami said, 'We are grateful to the Government of India, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar, for launching this timely evacuation effort and for reassuring anxious families back home during this period of uncertainty. We remain hopeful that all remaining students will be evacuated soon.' 'My daughter has been safely evacuated and hopefully they will reach Srinagar tomorrow. We are thankful to Government of India for this,' said one of the parents. Meanwhile, the association said that the Indian Consulate in Bandar Abbas has requested Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (AJUMS), Ahvaz Province, to facilitate the relocation of Indian students, including those from Kashmir, amid the prevailing security concerns. The consulate has asked the university administration to grant permission for the eleven students to leave the campus and travel to Yazd, assuring that it will take full responsibility for their safe movement as per instructions from senior authorities. Kashmiri students usually opt for Iranian universities because of their affordability and similar cultural milieu. The students are spread in Tehran, Shiraz and Qom. Iran is home to more than 4000 Indian student,s half of them from J&K, who are enrolled in medical and other professional courses.
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Two Indian medical students injured in Israeli strike on Tehran
CHANDIGARH: Two students from Kashmir sustained minor injuries in an Israeli strike at the Hujat Dost Ali Hostel in Tehran, claimed Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA). The students are currently stable. The university authorities have relocated them to Ramsar. Nasir Khuehami, national convener of JKSA said an Israeli strike hit near the boys' dormitory for international students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Hujjatdost Dormitory) leaving two students from Kashmir valley injured. "Two Indian students from the Kashmir Valley were injured in the Israeli strike. Fortunately, both are in a stable condition and are currently en route to Ramsar, as the university is relocating students to a nearby village in that region for their safety. We spoke to several of them. While the injuries are not serious, the situation remains deeply concerning. The situation has left these students traumatized and terrified,'' he said. Khuehami claimed that amid the escalating conflict, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran has granted permission to the Indian Embassy in Tehran to escort Indian students to the Norduz border of Armenia via buses. ` "The Indian Embassy will begin relocating Indian students including many from Kashmir from Urmia to Armenia to ensure their safety," he said. "As per the arrangements made with the Indian Embassy buses have been arranged for the relocation of Indian students. This applies to all Indian students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, including those living in dormitories and private apartments. No Indian student should stay back in the boys or girls dormitories or in private apartments,'' he claimed. Khuehami said that they have been receiving distress messages and calls from Kashmiri students in different parts of Iran, especially in cities impacted by the ongoing conflict. "There are around 1,300 Kashmiri students in Iran,'' he said. The JKSA said it was in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian Embassy in Tehran and the J&K CM's Office. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding the stranded students and was assured necessary steps to ensure safety of all Indian students. Some of the students from other countries have reportedly crossed into neighbouring countries as part of their journey back home.
