35 Kashmiri students suspended by Mewar university after protest

Srinagar, Oct 21: At least 35 Kashmiri students at Mewar University in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan were suspended after they staged protests against the university over an unapproved nursing course, reports said Monday.

The students had been protesting the university's failure to obtain necessary approvals from the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) and Indian Nursing Council (INC) for the B.Sc. Nursing course for three straight days.

However, the students said they were suspended by the university authorities without any concrete resolution to their demands.

"Many private universities in this country are a scam. This one needs to be probed and the interest of students protected. Hope the J&K government takes up their case with their Rajasthan counterparts for urgent resolution," PDP leader Nayeem Akhtar said in a post on  X.

"35 Kashmiri students at Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, have been suspended amid their 3-day protest, day & night, against the university’s failure to secure approvals from the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) & Indian Nursing Council (INC)," said legislator and PDP leader, Waheed Parra.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association also expressed “deep concern” over the suspension of 35 Kashmiri students from Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.

In a statement, the JKSA said that these students have been protesting for the past three days, “day and night”, due to the university’s failure to secure the necessary approvals from the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) and Indian Nursing Council (INC) for its BSc Nursing course.

The JKSA said that the absence of these crucial approvals jeopardises the academic future of the students. “Instead of addressing their legitimate concerns and protecting their academic careers, the university opted to suspend the students as a response. This harsh action is unacceptable and a direct attack on the students’ rights to raise their voices for justice.”

According to an order issued by the university Registrar, 35 B.Sc. (Nursing) second year students were suspended on Saturday “for nuisance and deplorable acts.” The order states that these students will not be allowed to enter the university premises till further orders. They were also instructed to vacate the hostels by 8 pm Sunday, reported The Indian Express.

Talking to The IE, the university Registrar Pradeep Dey described the issue related to approval to the course as a “misunderstanding” and that the university has filed a case against the Rajasthan Nursing Council. He also said that the investigation against students is pending.

Two months ago, the university registrar gave a written promise, assuring the students that the matter would be resolved shortly. However, despite these commitments, there has been no significant progress, and now the university is asking for yet another month to address the issue. This delay is unacceptable and has left the students with no choice but to protest, said JKSA national convener.

He added that on October 18, a scheduled meeting with the university’s proctor, which was intended to address the students’ concerns, did not take place as planned, leaving the students frustrated.

He said that in response to the protests, the university administration resorted to punitive actions by suspending 35 students instead of taking any concrete steps to resolve the issue or preserve their academic careers.