More than 30 students from Jammu and Kashmir have been suspended by Mewar University in Rajasthan following their peaceful protest against the institution’s failure to secure mandatory approvals for its B.Sc. Nursing programme.
The suspensions have prompted student representatives to seek urgent intervention from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), 33 students of Mewar University were suspended after they held a protest against the lack of recognition from the Rajasthan Nursing Council and the Indian Nursing Council for the nursing course.
JKSA records indicate that around 50 students from Jammu and Kashmir are enrolled in the programme, which remains unrecognised by the statutory regulatory bodies.
The association warned that the students’ degrees and future careers are at serious risk, along with potential employment barriers, due to the university’s refusal to address the issue.
National Convenor of JKSA, Nasir Kuehami, told reporters on Thursday, “The University had repeatedly assured students that approvals would be obtained. Last year, the Registrar gave a written commitment. No progress has been made.”
He expressed strong dissatisfaction, saying, “The university should have addressed the students’ concerns rather than resorting to this punitive and harsh approach.”
“Suspending students for peaceful protests amounts to silencing dissent, which is protected under the Constitution,” he added.“ Running a professional course without statutory approvals is a serious regulatory failure.”
The JKSA has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take up the matter on priority with the authorities concerned in Rajasthan to safeguard the students’ interests and resolve the issue at the earliest.
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