New Delhi: A controversy has erupted in the state of Karnataka after a group of Kashmiri students enrolled in the Government Nursing School of Holenarsipur in Hassan district alleged they were forced to shave their beards before entering the college’s clinical lab.
The students claim this constitutes cultural and religious discrimination, sparking outrage and prompting intervention from the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA).
The students enrolled under the PM’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) have written to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s office and the JKSA, urging them to address the issue. They have also taken to Twitter to raise their concerns.
The college administration, however, vehemently denies targeting any specific group, stating that the beard-trimming rule applies to all students, including local Kannadiga students, for hygiene purposes. Vijaykumar, the college’s clinical inspector, stated that a stern warning was issued after some students ignored prior directions regarding hygiene standards essential for clinical duties. “This guideline was issued for hygiene purposes. A stern warning was given after some students ignored prior directions.”
The college principal, Chandrashekar, emphasised that the dress code, including beard trimming, is uniform for all 330 students, including the 14 from Jammu and Kashmir. He insists that the rule is in place to maintain hygiene and professional standards within the nursing program.
However, the JKSA has accused the college administration of infringing on the students’ cultural and religious rights. Their letter to the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah states that over two dozen Kashmiri students have been subjected to “undue restrictions” related to their appearance, particularly regarding beards, which they maintain for religious reasons. The students allege they were instructed to trim their beards to a “01” trimmer length or be clean-shaven to participate in college activities, including clinical duties. Those who refused were marked absent, affecting their attendance and academic records.
The controversy prompted a meeting between the college administration and the students, resulting in an agreement allowing students to maintain their religious customs without academic penalties.
