Worried parents stage protest
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 18: The J&K Students Association (JKSA) has dispatched a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking his intervention in the matter concerning the alleged assault on Kashmiri students and an unfolding admission “scandal” at Desh Bhagat University (DBU) in Punjab.
The letter articulates the concerns of Kashmiri students who find themselves embroiled in a tumultuous situation at DBU. According to the communication, nursing students at DBU have been engaged in a protest for the past 4-5 days against the university administration’s arbitrary decision to transfer their admissions to a college lacking approval from the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and Punjab Nursing Registration Council (PNRC).
“These students’ futures hang in the balance. On the 14th of September, while peacefully protesting, female students were subjected to a lathi charge and confined within a university building to stifle their voices against this unjust decision. Their injuries are severe and grave,” the letter states.
JKSA has underscored the involvement of approximately 70 Kashmiri students enrolled in various paramedical courses who are being transferred to Sardar Lal Singh College without their consent or will.
“This unilateral action by the university, which has been ongoing since last year, has placed these young scholars in a precarious position concerning their education and future careers,” the letter emphasizes.
The association further highlights that this unilateral move by the university has been in effect since last year, affecting around 500 students from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir pursuing various paramedical courses at Desh Bhagat University.
“Sardar Lal Singh Memorial College, despite its affiliation with DBU Punjab, lacks recognition from the Indian Nursing Council.”
JKSA discloses that Desh Bhagat University, Punjab, admitted 140 students, significantly exceeding the approved intake capacity, which typically ranges from 40 to 60 students.
The association recalls that when confronted by the affected students last year, university authorities assured them that the issue would be resolved. However, JKSA laments that despite these promises, the students’ predicament has worsened over time.
The association also expresses deep concern over the response of the Punjab Police, stating, “Instead of taking appropriate action against those who assaulted Kashmiri students, the Punjab Police has shockingly lodged FIRs against the victims who sustained injuries and endured this brutality. This alarming turn of events raises serious concerns about the safety of the students and their right to peaceful protest.”
Meanwhile, today, parents of students from DBU staged a protest at the press enclave, condemning the reported mistreatment of their children and alleging that they have been deceived.
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