JKSA seeks Amit Shah’s intervention over plight of Kashmiri Nursing students at Mewar University

SRINAGAR (KIMS) — The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has urged Amit Shah to intervene in the issue concerning Kashmiri students studying at Mewar University in Rajasthan, alleging that the B.Sc Nursing programme lacks mandatory approvals from regulatory bodies.

In a letter to the Union Home Minister, JKSA said more than 40 Kashmiri students currently in the 5th semester of the B.Sc Nursing programme at the university recently learnt that the course allegedly does not have the required approvals from the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC).

The association said the students are scheduled to complete their degree in the next four months but are now facing uncertainty about the validity of their qualifications and their ability to obtain professional registration.

JKSA said the students had taken admission in the programme in good faith based on the university’s assurances regarding the recognition of the course and have already invested several years of study and financial resources.

The association said, when the students sought clarification from the university regarding the approval status of the B.Sc Nursing programme, they allegedly did not receive clear responses from the administration.

JKSA said the students subsequently staged a peaceful protest on campus seeking transparency and assurances regarding the recognition of their course.

However, instead of addressing their concerns, an FIR was registered against 17 Kashmiri students who participated in the protest and they were later detained by authorities, the association said.

The association further said that 33 Kashmiri students were earlier suspended by the university after raising similar concerns about the recognition status of the nursing programme.

JKSA also expressed concern over reports that the situation on campus has become tense, with some female Kashmiri students alleging harassment and safety concerns following the protests. Some students have alleged harassment by certain male faculty members, which has further aggravated the sense of fear, vulnerability, and insecurity among Kashmiri students residing on the campus.

In the letter, the association requested the government to either ensure that the university secures the necessary approvals for the programme or allow the affected students to migrate to another recognised institution so that their academic careers are not jeopardised.

JKSA urged the Union government to address the issue urgently and ensure that Kashmiri students studying outside Jammu and Kashmir are provided a safe and supportive educational environment. — (KIMS)