Srinagar, Feb 27 (NationPress) The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has formally requested the intervention of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu regarding the alleged mistreatment faced by Kashmiri students at a nursing college in Kurnool.

"On Friday, the JKSA reached out to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, urging immediate action over reports of harassment, including verbal abuse, denial of Sehri and Iftar arrangements during Ramzan, restrictions on hijab, and breaches of the fundamental rights of Kashmiri students at the Government College of Nursing, Kurnool," stated JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami.

The letter highlighted serious grievances from approximately two dozen Kashmiri students enrolled in BSc Nursing at the Government College of Medical Nursing, Kurnool, many of whom are young women beneficiaries of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) through AICTE counselling.

The situation has reportedly instilled fear, humiliation, and mental anguish, negatively impacting their academic performance and overall health. Khuehami noted that the students feel they are being unfairly targeted due to their Kashmiri heritage and religious beliefs, facing systematic discrimination and harassment.

Despite being regular boarders, these students were reportedly questioned by the college administration about their choice to attend the college if they were so dedicated to Ramzan and religious practices, a statement the association condemned as hurtful and discriminatory, unbecoming of an educational institution.

When the students requested essential arrangements for Sehri and Iftar during Ramzan, their requests were dismissed and trivialized. Attempts to arrange meals from outside were met with resistance from college officials, who allegedly barred them from bringing food onto campus.

The JKSA emphasized that the students have not been given adequate provisions or reasonable flexibility to observe fasting, leading to emotional and physical distress during the holy month.

Furthermore, the administration allegedly told the students that if they were so committed to religious practices, they should not have enrolled in the college.

Students reported being discouraged from fasting and pressured to remove their hijab, which the JKSA labeled as a direct violation of their fundamental right to practice their faith freely. They asserted that these incidents have engendered fear, insecurity, and mental strain, detrimental to their academic success and overall well-being.

Kashmiri students have also reported being specifically targeted and subjected to verbal insults, including being labeled as "dumb," "senseless," "idiots," and even "terrorists." The association condemned such language as degrading and unacceptable within any academic setting.

The students conveyed that they were interrogated about their hijab and pressured to abandon it, while being discouraged from adhering to their religious practices—actions deemed by the association as direct violations of their fundamental rights.

The association alleged that the college administration has been systematically humiliating and targeting young female students, thus infringing upon their fundamental rights.

There were reports of students being threatened with suspension for asserting their religious rights and being pressured to leave the hostel without legitimate cause, allegedly due to their identity and religious observance.

Khuehami pointed out that such actions represent discrimination based on religion and regional identity, constituting a severe abuse of institutional authority, breaching constitutional protections under Article 25 (freedom of religion), Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, gender, or place of birth), and Article 21A (right to education).

In its letter, the association expressed distress that students from Kashmir, who have traveled far to pursue higher education in Andhra Pradesh, are enduring humiliation and trauma. They highlighted the profound psychological and emotional impact, indicating that this incident sends a concerning message to girls from minority backgrounds regarding their standing within educational institutions.

The association underscored Andhra Pradesh’s historical reputation for pluralism, inclusivity, and support for students from various regions, noting that Kashmiri students have generally felt welcomed in the state. They warned that neglecting this issue could jeopardize that legacy.

Calling for immediate intervention, the JKSA urged the Chief Minister to initiate an impartial and timely investigation, ensure protection against harassment or academic penalties for practicing their faith, and facilitate Sehri and Iftar arrangements during Ramzan, allowing students to observe the holy month with dignity and continue their education without fear.

The association expressed optimism that the state government would take swift corrective actions to uphold constitutional values and reassure students and their families, reiterating that educational institutions must remain safe and inclusive environments for everyone.

On February 24, the Vice Chancellor of CT University in Punjab was dismissed after Kashmiri students reported that he had behaved inappropriately towards them and questioned their rights to observe the Ramzan fast.