Update from Karnataka:
Following a prompt response from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s office, the issue concerning Kashmiri students who were forced to shave their beards at the Government College of Nursing in Holenarasipur has been resolved.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association raised concerns yesterday with the Karnataka government and Chief Minister about the discriminatory practices faced by students regarding their cultural and religious practices of growing beards.
The Chief Minister’s office, along with the Principal Secretary for Medical Education, Mohammad Mohsin, IAS, has assured that strict action will be taken against the officials involved. A show-cause notice has been issued to the Dean and Director of the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, and the Principal has been formally warned. The medical education authorities have also directed that such issues be addressed immediately.
Kashmiri students have provided written statements indicating that the issue has been amicably resolved.
The Director has also sent a notice to the Principal of the college, seeking a report on the incident from the Karnataka government.
