33 Kashmiri students suspended in Rajasthan over protest; J&K body seeks Omar Abdullah’s intervention

Srinagar, Feb 12: Over 30 students from Jammu and Kashmir have been suspended from a private university in Rajasthan after they protested against its failure to secure mandatory approvals for a nursing course, a students’ body said on Thursday, seeking Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s intervention.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association informed said 33 students of Mewar University in Chittorgarh were suspended following a peaceful demonstration against the absence of recognition from the Rajasthan Nursing Council and the Indian Nursing Council for the B.Sc Nursing programme.

More than 50 Kashmiri students are enrolled in the course, which remains unapproved by the statutory bodies, putting their degrees, registration and future employment at risk, the Association said.

“The university had repeatedly assured students that approvals would be obtained. Last year, the Registrar gave a written commitment. No progress has been made,” Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the Association said.

He said that instead of addressing the students’ concerns, the administration resorted to punitive action. “Suspending students for a peaceful protest is aimed at silencing dissent. Running a professional course without statutory approvals is a serious regulatory failure.”

The Association has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take up the matter with the Rajasthan government. It has also appealed to Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to intervene and ensure that either approvals are secured or students are transferred to a recognised institution without academic loss. (KNS)