by Aiman Fayaz
Srinagar: In a recent disconcerting event, over 35 students from Jammu and Kashmir faced abrupt suspensions from Mewar University in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, after staging a protest against what they perceived as a profound betrayal by the institution. The students, enrolled in the university’s B.Sc. Nursing programme had discovered that the course lacked crucial accreditations from the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC). Feeling misled and acutely aware of the potential impact on their futures, they united to demand accountability from the administration. However, rather than addressing these legitimate grievances, university officials responded by imposing sweeping suspensions, leaving students in a state of uncertainty and apprehension.
After several days, the university reversed its stance. “Taking into consideration the request of the Kashmiri students studying at Mewar University and on the advice of the government administration, the university administration hereby immediately revokes the above suspension order,” reads an official statement signed by the university’s Registrar.
The Story Behind the Crisis
The situation began to unfold when students enrolled in Mewar University’s B.Sc Nursing Programme discovered, a full year after their admission, that their course lacked the necessary approvals from the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC). Alarmed by the implications for their futures, the students approached university authorities to voice their concerns, only to be met with repeated assurances that the matter would soon be resolved. Yet, as two more years elapsed without any tangible progress, the students remained in a state of uncertainty, navigating administrative hurdles with no clear resolution in sight.
In a final bid to make their grievances heard, the students organised a peaceful protest. Instead of receiving answers, however, they were met with a severe response: 35 students faced suspension, leaving others to confront an unclear academic future. “We were simply asking for our right to a recognised qualification, but instead, we have been punished,” one student remarked. This reaction left students stunned, feeling ignored and unjustly penalised for raising legitimate issues. Now, as their protest endures into its tenth day and ninth night, they wait, hopeful for intervention from both the local government and the Jammu and Kashmir administration—hoping for the decisive action that will, at last, secure their right to a valid education and a secure future.
Reactions from Politicians:
As media coverage brought the situation into the public eye, political figures and education advocates swiftly took to social media to demand justice for the affected students. PDP leader Nayeem Akhtar posted on X, “Many private universities in this country are a scam. This one needs to be probed, and the interest of students is protected. I hope the J&K government takes up their case with their Rajasthan counterparts for an urgent resolution.” Fellow PDP leader and legislator Waheed Parra voiced a similar concern, stating, “Thirty-five Kashmiri students at Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, have been suspended during their 3-day protest, day and night, against the university’s failure to secure approvals from the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) and Indian Nursing Council (INC).”
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) expressed strong disapproval as well, issuing a statement that condemned the university’s response. JKSA underscored that, despite students’ peaceful protests requesting essential course approvals, the administration responded with suspensions rather than support. “This severe action is unacceptable and a direct attack on the students’ right to raise their voices for justice,” read the statement, further noting that the absence of approvals compromises the students’ academic futures.
Meanwhile, Sakina Itoo, Jammu and Kashmir’s recently elected Minister for Health, Medical Education, and Social Welfare, also addressed the issue on X, saying, “Regarding J&K students in Rajasthan: I am receiving distress calls from students alleging that the university is threatening to rusticate them. I have raised the matter with the Hon’ble CM, who has assured me he will discuss the issue with the Hon’ble CM of Rajasthan to seek a resolution.” Yet, despite her statements, days have elapsed without substantive action from either the Jammu and Kashmir or Rajasthan administrations, leaving students feeling forsaken.
Kashmir Life attempted multiple times throughout the day to contact the newly appointed Education Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for comment on the students’ plight but received no response.
This incident marks yet another chapter in the ongoing struggle for reliable educational access faced by Kashmiri students. Many of these students hail from remote villages in Kashmir and districts in Jammu, where quality educational opportunities are scarce. Trusting the university’s assurances on its website that the programme was fully accredited, they enrolled with aspirations—only to find themselves now ensnared in a troubling academic limbo.
Student Stories and Threats
Abrar Farooq Mir, a young student from Kashmir’s Baramulla district enrolled in Mewar University’s B.Sc. Nursing course, recently called the offices of Kashmir Life in tears, pleading, “Madam, please, our future is at stake. My family is being threatened in Kashmir; they have said an FIR will be filed against me.” Abrar had convinced his parents to let him study in Rajasthan under the Jammu and Kashmir Special Scholarship, a scheme facilitated by the Central Defence’s Sadbhavna initiative.
Reflecting on his choice to enrol at Mewar University, Abrar voiced his deep regret. “They lured us in with flashy online advertisements. We had no idea we’d find ourselves here, unable to see a future ahead of us,” he lamented.
Students report that Mewar University displayed claims of RNC and INC approvals on its boards—an apparent assurance meant to attract new students. “We only noticed the discrepancy after a year,” said Umer Gul Parray, a student from Kupwara district in Kashmir. “But each time we approached the administration, they asked for more time to ‘fix’ the issue. They even cut a cake to celebrate, just to make us believe it would be resolved. But after two years, nothing changed,” he added.
The students initially felt encouraged when Minister Sakina Itoo publicly addressed their concerns, and the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) followed up by calling for the revocation of the suspension orders. Yet, while these actions acknowledged the suspensions, they overlooked the fundamental issues that had prompted the students’ protests in the first place.
“I was genuinely hopeful when Jammu and Kashmir finally saw its government after a decade,” shared Faizan, a student from Pattan in Kashmir. “I thought it would mean some real change for students like us who are miles from home, but, unfortunately, it has not helped at all.”
The students are now calling for a thorough and transparent resolution to what they describe as a carefully concealed scam. “The college administration is trying to convince us to call off our protest by showing us documents claiming the issue will be resolved,” one student shared. “But these documents are invalid and do not hold any real weight.”
While the local government in Rajasthan has shown support, students sense the issue runs deeper. “There’s some sort of pressure involved here—who knows from where,” another student commented.
When asked about the university staff’s response to their concerns, Abrar told Kashmir Life that Vice Chancellor Dr Alok Mishra and Chairperson Ashok Kumar Gadiya have expressed support. However, despite their apparent sympathy, neither has taken meaningful action. “Dr Mishra wants to help but says his hands are tied because he doesn’t own the institution,” Abrar explained.
The students in the B.Sc. Nursing programmes at Mewar University are studying under scholarships funded by the Central Defence. Yet, according to the students, they are now receiving threats from the army itself, warning them to halt their protests. “We have been getting calls from an army colonel, threatening to cancel our scholarships and file cases against us if we don’t stop protesting,” said Umer Gul, a student from Kashmir.
After ten days and nine nights of unrelenting protest, students are on the brink of losing faith in both the Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan governments. “They are playing politics with our education and our futures,” said Abrar Farooq. “It’s all about political forces; they don’t care whether students live or die.”
Many students report receiving disturbing calls from anonymous individuals targeting their parents, using abusive language and attempting character assassination. This harassment has caused considerable distress among families, adding to the emotional toll already borne by the students.
“We are only here to seek justice and nothing else,” stated Khusboo, a student from Jammu.
Impact of the Protests and the Call for Solutions
The health of the students engaged in prolonged protests has notably worsened, as many endure physical and mental strain after days of continuous demonstrations. Distressing videos showing students collapsing in exhaustion have circulated on social media, yet public response to their plight has been minimal.
Maryam Khatun, a student from Jammu’s Banihal district, shared her experiences with Kashmir Life, saying, “We are drained of all energy. Every other girl has had to be put on glucose because they have become so weakened by standing in protest for such a long time. This entire situation has deeply impacted our mental and physical health.”
In an urgent appeal, the students are demanding immediate transfers from Mewar University to accredited institutions recognised by the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC), where they can complete their education without further obstacles.
“We come from middle-class families, which is why we are here on scholarships,” said a group of students collectively. “The annual fee for our course is 1 lakh 20 thousand, with a total of eight semesters. We have been scammed.”
