JKSA writes to Amit Shah over FIR, harassment of Kashmiri nursing students at Mewar University

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written to union home minister Amit Shah seeking urgent intervention in a dispute involving Kashmiri students enrolled in the BSc Nursing programme at Mewar University. The association has raised concerns about alleged harassment, police action and uncertainty surrounding the recognition of the course.

The controversy centres on more than 40 Kashmiri students currently in the fifth semester, who say they discovered that the programme may not have the necessary approvals from the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) . Recognition from these bodies is required for graduates to obtain professional registration and pursue careers in nursing.

In its communication to the Union home minister, the association warned that the issue has placed students in a precarious situation, noting that “the academic future and professional careers of several Kashmiri students” are now at risk because of the uncertainty around the programme’s regulatory status.

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FIR against Kashmiri students

Tensions on campus escalated after students began seeking clarification from the university regarding the recognition of the course. When assurances were not forthcoming, some students organised demonstrations demanding transparency. As per the reports, 17 Kashmiri students were later detained after participating in a protest , and an FIR was registered against them.

The issue had already been simmering for months. Earlier, 33 Kashmiri students were suspended after raising questions about the approval status of the BSc Nursing programme.

The letter also highlights the distress among students and their families, noting that “with their degree programme scheduled for completion within the next four months, the students have expressed deep distress and anxiety regarding the validity of their qualifications.”

JKSA appeal for Centre’s intervention

As per JKSA students joined the programme believing that the necessary approvals had been secured by the university. However, the association claims that when students asked for official documentation confirming the course’s recognition, the administration failed to provide clear answers.

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Amid the ongoing dispute, JKSA has urged the centre to step in to ensure the students’ safety and protect their academic interests. The association suggested that if the programme does not obtain the required approvals, authorities should allow affected students to transfer to another recognised institution so that, as the letter states, “the years of study they have already completed do not go to waste.”

The controversy has also drawn political attention in Jammu and Kashmir, with several leaders raising concerns about the safety and academic future of Kashmiri students studying outside the Union Territory.