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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 Gazette
15-07-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
J-K Students Association writes to Siddaramaiah over hijab ban on Kashmiri girl students in Karnataka nursing college, seeks intervention
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 15 (ANI): The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Tuesday wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking his immediate intervention in an incident of alleged religious discrimination faced by Kashmiri female students at a nursing college in Bengaluru. The students, who wear the hijab or burkha in accordance with their religious beliefs, have reportedly been barred from attending classes and threatened with expulsion by the management of Sri Soubhagya Lalitha College of Nursing, affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS). In its letter, the Association expressed deep anguish over the harassment and humiliation allegedly inflicted upon the students, who were denied entry into classrooms and practical sessions for the past several days. '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, an expression of modesty, dignity, and identity rooted deeply in their religious and personal beliefs,' the letter stated. National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said that a disturbing incident occurred in which the college chairman stormed into a classroom and ordered hijab-wearing students to leave immediately. When the students asked for clarification based on this directive, they were reportedly told, 'This is our college; only our rules apply.' The chairman and principal allegedly threatened to terminate the students and withhold their academic records if they continued to wear their religious attire. The students were warned that they would not be permitted inside the college unless they removed their hijabs, despite no official or legal policy existing to support such a ban. 'They were told to follow so-called university rules, which prohibit hijab and burkha, though no such official regulation exists under Indian law,' he said. Further compounding the matter, the college administration allegedly justified the ban by claiming that other students had objected to the presence of hijab-wearing students. The chairman is also reported to have stated that 'hijab and pardah are not allowed for medical students anywhere in the country, not even in Kashmir,' and added, 'no article or fundamental right is applicable in our college.' Calling these justifications 'absurd, Islamophobic stereotypes,' Khuehami condemned the use of such discriminatory practices and language, noting that this is a 'direct and dangerous violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India.' The letter cites Articles 25 (freedom of religion), 15 (prohibition of discrimination), and 21A (right to education), stating that forcing students to choose between their faith and education is both 'unconscionable' and 'unconstitutional.' Highlighting the psychological and emotional toll on the affected students, He said that, 'It is heartbreaking and enraging in equal measure that students from a conflict-affected region, who left their homes and came to Karnataka in pursuit of higher education and opportunity, are now being subjected to such humiliation and trauma.' The association stressed that the implications of this incident stretch beyond the four students directly affected, warning that it sends 'a chilling message to every girl from a minority background that her religious identity makes her unwelcome in educational spaces.' The association called upon Karnataka's progressive legacy of pluralism, referencing the reformist tradition of Basavanna, the leadership of Devaraj Urs, and the inclusive vision of poet Kuvempu. 'This incident, if left unaddressed, risks undermining that very legacy. It threatens to turn institutions of learning into spaces of exclusion, intolerance, and fear,' the letter warned. The letter further pointed out that hundreds of Kashmiri students are enrolled in colleges across Karnataka and have chosen the state for its academic excellence, cultural tolerance, and safety. It said that such incidents not only traumatise individual students but also shake the trust of the entire student community. The association demanded that the Chief Minister take swift and decisive action. 'These young women must be allowed to resume their education without any coercion to compromise their religious beliefs. The concerned authorities, including the Education Department, RGUHS, and the Minority Commission, must be directed to conduct a thorough investigation, hold those responsible accountable, and issue clear instructions to all educational institutions that such discrimination is unconstitutional and unacceptable,' Khuehami added. The association emphasised that this was an opportunity for Karnataka to reaffirm its values of justice and inclusivity. 'At a time when our national discourse is increasingly polarised, Karnataka has the opportunity to rise above narrowness and reaffirm the principles on which this country was built: liberty, dignity, fraternity, and justice,' it said. 'The students of this state, whether from Bengaluru or Baramulla, must feel safe, valued, and protected.' The association Urged Chief Minister to direct the Education Minister, RGUHS, and the Minority Commission to investigate the matter urgently and ensure that the students are allowed to attend classes immediately without the condition of removing their religious attire. The association also called for strict disciplinary action against the college officials found guilty of violating the students' rights. (ANI)
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Kashmiri doctor denied admission at KMCH for refusing to shave his beard: J&K Students Association
Coimbatore: Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has sought Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin's intervention in an alleged case of religious discrimination at Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital (KMCH) in Coimbatore. In a letter to the chief minister on Thursday, the association's national convenor, Nasir Khuehami, stated that Dr Zubair Ahmad, a doctor from Kashmir who secured a DrNB (Nephrology) seat at KMCH through NEET-SS counselling, was denied admission for refusing to shave his beard, which he maintains as a religious obligation. Despite offering to cover his beard with a surgical mask and adhere to all hygiene protocols, the hospital insisted on a clean-shaven appearance, reportedly as part of its dress code. Unable to comply, Dr Zubair withdrew from the programme and has sought permission from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to participate in the next round of counselling and refund of his ₹2 lakh security deposit. The association condemned the policy as discriminatory and unconstitutional, citing Article 25 which guarantees religious freedom. It urged the chief minister to protect such freedoms in educational and healthcare institutions, reaffirming Tamil Nadu's legacy of inclusivity and social justice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like USDJPY đang đi lên không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo When contacted, R Narayanan, vice-president of KMCH, said, "We asked the student to trim his beard to maintain grooming norms. We did not ask him to shave it off. For all employees, we have a clean-shave policy. Those who wish to keep a beard must keep it trimmed, in accordance with their religious norms." "We have explained this to the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, clarifying that the student is expected to adhere to the grooming norms. We did not deny him admission — the decision now lies with the student," he said.
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
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Another flight carrying over 160 Valley students lands at IGI airport
Jun 22, 2025 09:10 AM IST A flight carrying 256 Indian students, including 160 from Kashmir, landed in New Delhi on Saturday. An Indian student meeting a relative after returning from Iran, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, on Saturday. (PTI) After reaching New Delhi they boarded buses to their homes provided by the J&K government to ferry the students to their home towns. 'In the morning more than 160 students arrived in New Delhi and are now on way to Srinagar,' J&K Students association convener Nasir Khuehami said, adding that the Mahan Air evacuation flight IRM071A carrying over 256 Indian students, the majority from the Kashmir Valley has safely landed at Delhi Airport. 'Sigh of relief for families who had been anxiously waiting for their children's safe return. Many of these students were frightened and emotionally drained after enduring days of uncertainty and fear in the conflict zone. Their safe arrival has brought a huge sigh of relief to their loved ones back home. Thanks to Government of India for their 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,' said Khuhami. He said that another Mahan Air flight is scheduled to arrive tonight and the MEA has informed us that two more flights are scheduled from Iran to Delhi on Sunday. National Conference spokesman Imran Nabi Dar expressed gratitude to Government of India for evacuation of the students from Tehran...'Thanks to Govt of Iran, @IRIMFA_EN and @MEAIndia for timely and seamless evacuation of our students. Operation Sindhu is perhaps one of the most human centric initiatives and will stay in the lives of these kids and their families for ever,' he wrote on X.
