BENGALURU — A group of students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in Karnataka under the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) has approached the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, highlighting that the college administration asked them to trim or shave their beard.
The students, enrolled in the Government Nursing College, Holenarasipura, Hassan, which is affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University in Karnataka, claimed the college is enforcing discriminatory grooming standards that infringe on their cultural and religious rights.
In a letter submitted to the association, the students claimed the college threatened to mark them absent from clinical activities unless they shave or trim their beards, reported Indian Express.
This policy, the students argued, is arbitrary and culturally insensitive. They said this issue could lead to further discrimination, particularly during internal assessments and practical examinations.
They requested that the association advocate on their behalf. “We hope that this matter can be resolved without any further pressure or punitive action from the college administration,” the students wrote, urging the association to convey their concerns to the college authorities.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
