SKUAST-K suspends forestry classes amid protests, asks students to vacate hostels

Sher e Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has released a recent notice stating that it has suspended academic activities at its Faculty of Forestry in Benhama, Watlar, Ganderbal, until further orders.

SKUAST-K has asked students from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh staying in the campus hostels to vacate their rooms by 10 am on October 16, 2026. The decision has come amid protests by forestry students against the proposed recruitment rules and eligibility criteria for the post of Forester in the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department.

The Sher e Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir students have been protesting for the past 23 days, demanding fair recruitment rules.

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SKUAST-K suspends classes until further orders

According to an official order issued by the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Forestry, on October 15, classes for undergraduate (UG), Master of Science (MSc) and PhD courses, have been suspended. However, the suspension does not apply to first-year UG students.

The order directs students of the Pine Boys’ and Girls’ Hostels to vacate their rooms. The university has warned that failure to follow the directions may lead to action under the applicable rules.

The wardens of both hostels have been asked to make sure that the students vacate their rooms within the given timeline. For necessary action, the order has also been shared with senior university officials, including the Registrar, Director Education, Director Research and Dean Students’ Welfare.

The order has also faced criticism on social media, with a user on X saying, “This institutional blackmailing & intimidation is callously pathetic. Please revoke this dictatorial order at the earliest.”

The university did not share any specific reason for suspending classes or asking students to leave the hostels. The suspension will be applicable until further orders have been issued.