SRINAGAR: The suspension of 35 Kashmiri students at Mewar University in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, has raised significant concerns regarding the treatment of students advocating for their legitimate rights, said Er Ehtisham Khan, a noted social and student rights activist and co-founder of The Purpose (NGO).
“Enrolled in the B.Sc. Nursing program under the Jammu and Kashmir Special Scholarship Scheme (JKSSS), these students have been peacefully protesting against the university’s failure to secure necessary approvals from the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) and Indian Nursing Council (INC). Instead of addressing their grievances, the university opted to suspend them, sparking widespread condemnation from student bodies and rights activists,” he said in a statement issued here.
Khan expressed deep frustration over the university’s punitive actions. “The suspended students had repeatedly raised concerns about their unapproved nursing course, seeking either an immediate resolution or a transfer to an accredited institution. However, their peaceful protests were met with disciplinary measures instead of solutions,” he said.
“It is outrageous that these students, who are fighting for their basic right to education, are being punished instead of being heard. Mewar University’s actions are an attempt to silence their voices. These young students are demanding their right to a recognized course that will safeguard their futures. Suspending them and threatening them with deregistration and imprisonment is utterly unacceptable,” Khan stated.
He said despite previous written assurances from the university that necessary approvals would be secured, the administration failed to deliver, leaving the students in a precarious situation. This negligence has now escalated into a crisis, with the academic futures of 45 Kashmiri students hanging in the balance, he said.
Khan has called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and ensure that the students’ academic careers are not jeopardized due to the university’s actions. He also urged Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to act swiftly to safeguard the students’ academic continuity and well-being.
Khan also appealed to Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to hold Mewar University accountable for its administrative failures. “The Rajasthan government must act promptly to resolve the crisis and restore hope for these students, who are being unfairly punished for standing up for their rights,” he said.
The students’ demands are straightforward: either transfer them to a recognized college or promptly secure the necessary approvals for the B.Sc. Nursing program without further delay. Khan said these young individuals cannot be left to suffer due to administrative negligence and called for immediate protection of their futures.