*33 Kashmiri students suspended for protesting upapproved nursing course at rajasthan university*

Srinagar, Feb 02 The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association on Thursday raised alarm over the suspension of 33 Kashmiri students at Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, after they protested against the university’s failure to obtain mandatory approvals from the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC) for its B.Sc. Nursing programme.

The Association urged the Chief Ministers of J&K and Rajasthan to intervene, warning that the academic future of over 50 students remains at serious risk.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association expressed grave concern over the suspension of 33 Kashmiri students at Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, after they protested against the university’s failure to secure mandatory approvals from the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC) for the B.Sc. Nursing course.

They said, the National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said that the absence of statutory recognition has placed the academic future of over 50 Kashmiri students enrolled in the programme in serious jeopardy.

“Without RNC and INC approvals, the validity of their degrees, professional registration, and future employment prospects remain uncertain. What should have been a matter of regulatory compliance has now turned into a full-fledged crisis for students who invested their time, resources and aspirations in the course.”

The statment reads, Khuehami stated the university had repeatedly assured the students that the required approvals would be secured. Last year, the Registrar even issued a written commitment promising that the matter would be resolved shortly.

“However, despite these assurances, no tangible progress has been made. Instead of providing clarity or a definitive timeline, the administration continues to seek additional time, leaving students anxious and uncertain about their careers,” it reads.

The statement reads as, left with no option and faced with prolonged uncertainty, the students resorted to peaceful protest to safeguard their academic future. Rather than constructively addressing their legitimate concerns, the university administration responded by suspending 33 students.

“Such punitive action appears aimed at silencing dissent instead of rectifying institutional lapses. Suspending students for raising genuine academic concerns only aggravates the situation and deepens mistrust.”

Khuehami also asserted that running a professional nursing programme without securing essential statutory approvals is a serious lapse that cannot be overlooked. The burden of administrative negligence cannot be shifted onto students whose only demand is recognition of their course and protection of their future.

“The Association has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene immediately and take up the matter with the Government of Rajasthan and the concerned authorities to ensure that the well-being and academic continuity of these students are not compromised.”

The statment further said, the demands of the students are straightforward; either transfer them to a recognized college or immediately secure the necessary approvals for the B.Sc. Nursing programme without causing any loss to their academic progress.

“We hope that the elected government will treat the concerns of Kashmiri students studying outside the Union Territory with the seriousness they deserve. These students cannot be left in limbo. Their future must be safeguarded with urgency,” it added.

The Association also urged Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to intervene and resolve this crisis, restoring hope for these young students.

“Their future should not be compromised due to administrative negligence and delays,” the statement said. It further urged the Chief Minister to ensure that either the necessary approvals are secured without further delay or the affected students are accommodated in a duly recognized institution, without any academic loss.—(KNO)