Several Kashmiri students studying at the Government Nursing College in Hassan district, Karnataka, have alleged that the college administration asked them to shave or trim their beards to attend classes and participate in clinical activities. The students, approximately 24 in number, claimed they were told to trim their beards to a specific length of “01” trimmer setting or be clean-shaven, or else they would be marked absent during clinical sessions.
The students further reported that those who did not comply with the directive were marked absent, which affected their academic records and attendance. The issue escalated when the Jammu and Kashmir Student’s Association intervened, writing a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging his intervention in the matter. In the letter, the association stated that the college’s demands infringed on the students’ cultural and religious rights.
The letter detailed that the college administration had set a rule that all students, including the Kashmiri students, must maintain a certain standard of hygiene, including the trimming of beards, to participate in clinical duties. The students argued that this was discriminatory, as they were being singled out for their religious practices, which include wearing beards. The students further claimed that the beards were not a hindrance to their studies or clinical responsibilities.
In response, the college administration denied any targeted actions against Kashmiri students. Vijayakumar, the college’s clinical inspector, stated that the guidelines on maintaining hygiene were applicable to all students, including local Kannadiga students, and were enforced to ensure proper hygiene for clinical work. The college clarified that while students had been previously asked to follow the guidelines, those who continued to ignore them had been issued stern warnings.
The college administration also accused the Kashmiri students of frequently skipping classes to attend religious prayers, which had reportedly caused further disruption to their studies. However, after the student association’s letter to the Chief Minister, the college arranged a meeting with the Kashmiri students. Following the meeting, the college management agreed to allow the students to observe their religious practices without facing penalties.
This incident has raised concerns over religious freedoms and cultural sensitivities in educational institutions. While the college maintained that the guidelines were for maintaining hygiene standards, the case highlights the potential conflicts between institutional regulations and students’ religious practices. The outcome of the meeting and the college’s decision to allow students to observe their religious customs without repercussions may offer a path toward resolving such issues in the future.