NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir students studying at a nursing college in Karnataka were initially told to trim their beards, sparking concerns about religious freedom.
The issue arose at the Government College of Nursing in Holenarasipura, which is part of the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences.
Following the students’ complaints and the intervention of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), the college administration has now allowed the students to keep their beards.
The controversy began when instructors at the nursing college issued guidelines for students to trim their beards, citing dress code concerns.
However, the students from Jammu and Kashmir perceived this as an infringement on their religious practices. The situation escalated when some students were allegedly marked absent for having beards during clinical duties.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) intervened on behalf of the students, writing a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighting the students’ ordeal.
The letter emphasized that the students were enrolled under the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) and that their academic records were being affected due to the beard policy.
Dr. Rajanna B, the director of the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, confirmed that the issue has been resolved. He stated that the college administration had discussions with the students and decided to allow them freedom of expression.
“We have a nursing college in Holenarasipura where 14 students from Jammu and Kashmir are studying. Few of them were not punctual and there were complaints about their dress code. They also had long beards. The instructors had issued guidelines for students to trim their beards. As this happened, the students complained to the J&K Students Association. Later we came to know about the issue. We had discussions with the students after which freedom of expression was allowed. The issue is resolved now and the students are happy”
The students at the nursing college have expressed satisfaction with the resolution.
“The matter related to keeping a beard was resolved after the discussions with the principal. The management has allowed us to keep the beard. We feel safe and don’t have any issues right now. The Principal has assured us that nothing will happen (over this issue) and that we can feel safe”
While the college administration has addressed the students’ concerns, they have clarified that their initial guidelines were not intended to target any specific group.
“Clinical activity requires hygiene. There are certain criteria to participate in it. Accordingly, there is a guideline for all students including Kannadiga students.”
(With inputs from agencies)
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