Several students from Jammu and Kashmir, studying at a nursing college in Karnataka, have alleged that the university administration asked them to shave or cut their beards to attend classes.

Students enrolled at the Government Nursing College in Hassan district claimed they risked being excluded from clinical activities if they failed to comply with the directive.

According to the students, around 24 Kashmiri students were told that they had to trim their beards to an ’01’ trim length or be clean shaven to participate in academic activities and clinical duties. Students reported that those who maintained beards were absent during clinical sessions, which negatively affected their attendance and academic records.

The issue was later resolved after the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association wrote a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah calling for his intervention.

In its letter, the student association called the college’s guidelines “infringing” on students’ cultural and religious rights.

“The college administration allegedly forced these Kashmiri students to trim their beards to 01 length or be clean shaven before being allowed to participate in college activities or enter the premises, especially for clinical duties. Additionally, students who have beards are marked as absent during their clinical duties, which impacts their academic records and attendance,” read the letter addressed to Siddaramaiah.

However, the college administration denied targeting a specific group. The college’s clinical inspector Vijayakumar clarified that the guidelines have been issued to all students, including local students from Kannadiga, to maintain hygiene standards essential for clinical duties.

“Even after the university’s instructions, the students did not follow them during their nursing studies. This time, a stern warning was issued,” said a statement from the university management.

The college administration also accused Kashmiri students of frequently skipping classes to attend religious prayers. Following the letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the college administration held a meeting with the Kashmiri students and agreed to allow them to observe their religious customs without repercussions.