Mewar, Oct 21, : Over 30 Kashmiri students studying at Mewar University in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, have been suspended amid protests over the university’s failure to secure necessary approvals for its BSc Nursing program.
The students, who were protesting continuously for three days, claim that the lack of approvals from the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC) puts their academic futures at risk.
The university’s decision to suspend the students has been met with criticism, with the expelled students calling it an “unjust and harsh action”. “This response undermines the students’ right to advocate for their education,” they said. The university order termed the students’ actions as “nuisance and deplorable acts,” barring them from entering the campus until further notice and instructing them to vacate their hostels.
The suspension has sparked concerns about the students’ academic future and the university’s responsibility to ensure their education. The incident raises questions about the university’s accountability and its commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, regardless of their background or region.
When contacted, Deputy Registrar Mewar University Deepti Shastri sent a video message to the news agency Kashmir News Trust clarifying the university’s stance on the BSc nursing students’ issue.
She said: “The students were admitted in the 2023 academic session following an order from the Rajasthan High Court. As per the court’s directive, the Rajasthan government was supposed to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which would then enable the Rajasthan Nursing Council to recognize Mewar University’s nursing school on its website.”
“Despite sending multiple letters referencing the court order, the university received no response, prompting them to file a contempt petition with the Rajasthan High Court. The court accepted the petition and issued notices to the Secretary of Medical and Health Education and the Registrar of the Rajasthan Nursing Council. The respondents submitted their reply on October 15, 2024, and the matter remains subjudice, awaiting the next hearing date.”
Mrs Shastri assured that the NOC issue would likely be resolved in favor of the students at the next hearing. However, the students’ dissatisfaction led to disruptions on campus, necessitating disciplinary action. The university administration had appealed to the students to cooperate and maintain peace on campus, but to no avail.
“The University’s efforts to resolve the issue are ongoing, with all relevant court orders and correspondence shared with the students,” she added.
