- Muslim female students at Desh Bhagat University protested over unauthorized admissions transfer to a non-INC recognized nursing college, leading to a distressing incident.
- They sought resolution through complaints, meetings, and letters but faced alleged forceful removal, provocations, and physical confrontations. The matter has been handed over to the police and administrative authorities for investigation.
A group of Muslim female students at Desh Bhagat University in Punjab faced a distressing incident on a Thursday afternoon as they engaged in a protest that had been ongoing for approximately three weeks. The protest stemmed from allegations that the university had unlawfully transferred their admissions to another nursing college that lacked recognition from the Indian Nursing Council (INC).
One of the students, Sheema (name changed), a Kashmiri student, shed light on their grievances, “Before 20 days we went to the Director and asked him when our INC would come. He responded angrily and asked us to take the refund and return home. We told him we are in 3rd year right now and in October we will be starting our 4th year, what will we do? Where will we go, you wasted our time, what will we do with a refund?” Their time had seemingly been squandered, leaving them in a precarious situation.
In response to the incident, the students lodged a complaint at the nearest police station. Subsequently, they held meetings with various university officials. Additionally, they sent letters to the Punjab Nurses Council (PNC), INC, and JKNC, seeking resolution, but thus far, their pleas have gone unanswered.
During their protest, some students were dispatched to the Punjab Nurses Registration Council (PNRC) in Chandigarh, where they were informed that there were no records of their batch (2020).
Sheema revealed, “Yesterday there was an inspection in the University, and we informed them that we intended to peacefully assemble at the gate. However, we were forcefully removed. This morning, the entire faculty staged a protest against us, even taunting and provoking us with laughter, applause, and dancing.”
Sheema claimed that when the students remained steadfast, the Pro-Chancellor intervened and physically confronted them. She alleged that their Abayas were torn, some students were bruised, and even the police, she asserted, used excessive force. As a result, ten of their fellow female students had to seek medical attention.
Highlighting the composition of their group, Sheema stressed, “The majority of us are students from Jammu and Kashmir. When we were admitted, Desh Bhagat University had only one nursing college, which registered 150 students, despite being allocated roughly 60 seats by the INC.” Sheema further clarified that they were initially enrolled in the Desh Bhagat Institute of Nursing (DBIN) but were subsequently transferred to Sardar Lal Singh Memorial Nursing College on the same campus.
“We were promised INC registration within three months at this college, but we are still waiting,” Sheema lamented.
When contacted by The Kashmiriyat, the university’s admission department denied the students’ claims of assault and instead asserted that the students had obstructed the university gate. The situation prompted the university’s closure, pending further instructions, and was handed over to the police and administrative authorities for resolution.
