Expresses gratitude to Punjab CM, administration
SRINAGAR: Noted Social and student rights activist Er. Ehtisham Khan, Co-founder of The Purpose (NGO), has welcomed the reported administrative action and inquiry initiated in connection with the recent developments involving Kashmiri Muslim students at CT University, Punjab.
The matter, which had caused widespread concern among students and their families, arose after students allegedly faced intimidation and threats following their request for basic arrangements for Sehri and Iftar during the holy month of Ramzan. Er. Khan had formally urged the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab, the state administration, and the university authorities to intervene and ensure the safety, dignity, and academic security of the affected students.
Expressing relief over the developments, Er. Khan, in a statement issued here, stated that, taking note of the gravity of the issue, the university management has terminated the services of the concerned Vice-Chancellor, and the initiation of an inquiry in coordination with the local administration represents an important step toward restoring institutional accountability and confidence among students.
He conveyed his sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab for his prompt and reassuring intervention upon his request. He also acknowledged the constructive role played by the civil administration and Ludhiana Rural Police in facilitating a peaceful resolution through dialogue and administrative responsiveness. Er. Khan further appreciated the prompt action of the university leadership in addressing the matter and initiating corrective measures.
While noting that universities may not be legally obligated to provide specific religious accommodations, Er. Khan emphasized that compassion, sensitivity, and humanitarian consideration remain the hallmarks of a civilized and democratic society. He remarked that India’s enduring legacy as a pluralistic nation rests upon mutual respect, communal harmony, and the moral responsibility to ensure that no individual feels marginalized for practicing their faith.
He stated that educational institutions must embody not only academic excellence but also the constitutional promise of equality, dignity, and inclusivity. Universities, he observed, are spaces where young minds from diverse regions, cultures, and beliefs converge in pursuit of knowledge and opportunity, and such spaces must remain free from fear, discrimination, or coercion of any kind.
Er. Khan expressed hope that the present developments will serve as a lasting assurance that no student — irrespective of faith, region, or background — will face intimidation or humiliation in any educational institution across the country. He emphasized that the protection of student dignity is not a matter of selective concern but a universal obligation that must be upheld consistently and conscientiously.
Reaffirming his commitment to student welfare, Er. Khan stated that justice and accountability must always be accompanied by compassion and institutional introspection so that such incidents do not recur in the future.