New Delhi: A raging row over students from Kashmir keeping beard in a nursing college in Karnataka’s Hassan district was amicably resolved on Sunday after the college administration and students reached an agreement. The college administration said the students can either opt for a cleanshaven look or keep a closely trimmed beard. As many as 40 Kashmiri students are enrolled in the Government College of Nursing, Holenarasipur in Hassan district.
Dr Ranjanna, director of the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, stated the beard issue had now be “resolved cordially” after students agreed to adhere to the college management’s directions.
What happened exactly
Earlier, sources had alleged that several students were refused entry into the college on November 8 as they didn’t follow grooming requirements and standards, which are compulsory in a medical institute.
The students got in touch with the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association and claimed that they were “barred from laboratory sessions for not shaving or trimming” their beard. The students alleged that they were marked absent, and couldn’t attend hospital duty.
After this, the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association brought the matter over beard to the attention of Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah’s in their letter, while pointing at the “significant challenges” the students were facing at the college.
What did the association say
In its letter to CM Siddaramaiah, the students’ body claimed that the college administration was forcing the Kashmiri students to either trim their beards extremely short — to a ’01’ level trimmer length — or to get clean-shaven before entering the college premises or participate in any activities, especially for the clinical duties.
“The right to personal appearance, including the choice to grow a beard, is fundamental aspect of an individual’s freedom and identity,” the association said. “No student should be subjected to such discrimination or forced to compromise their beliefs and practices to access education. Such actions not only infringe upon the rights of these students but also create an atmosphere of fear and exclusion, which is detrimental to the spirit of education and democracy,” it pointed out.
What did the college authority say
Dr Ranjanna, the college director, said that the students misconstrued the instructions given to them over untidy dressing and long beards. “During the clinical process, they were instructed to keep their dress neat and trim their beards,” the director pointed out. A discussion was held with the students and they were told to come to the college neatly dressed, on time, and with cleanshaven look or closely trimmed beards.
Ranjanna said that the issue has been resolved now and the students are happy in their hostels. The faculties and principal have visited their rooms and counselled the students, he added.
