Kashmiri students of Government Nursing College in Holenarasipur, Karnataka have alleged that the college administration has asked them to cut their beards or get a clean shave. The 14 students who made the allegations have come to study in this college under the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme. The matter is of Holenarasipur Government Nursing College in Hassan, affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University. Kashmiri students say that the college is applying such discriminatory training standards on them which violate their cultural and religious rights. After the complaint of the students, Jammu and Kashmir Students Union (JKSA) intervened in the matter. After this, on the instructions of the college director Dr. Rajanna B and the principal, Kashmiri students have been given permission to keep beards. College administration said – no particular group was targeted
After the controversy increased, the medical college administration clarified on this matter and said that it has not targeted any particular group of students. The college administration said, ‘Cleanliness is required for clinical activity. There are certain criteria to participate in it. Therefore, a guideline was issued for all students including Kannada students. The director said – Some students were not punctual and there were complaints about their dress code. They also had long beards. Students were instructed to cut their beards. After this, the students complained to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Union. Later we came to know about this issue. We discussed with the students, now the issue has been resolved and the students are happy. JK Student Association had written a letter to Siddaramaiah
As soon as the matter came to light, J&K Students Association had written a letter to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. It was written in the letter – The college management had issued guidelines to the students to trim their beards or remain clean-shaven to come to the college campus. Students with beards are being considered absent during clinical duty, which is affecting their academic record and attendance. Hindu organization said – not following the rules is the arrogance of Muslim students
Pramod Muthalik, founder of Sri Ramsena in Chikkamagaluru, said that this is the arrogance of Muslim students. Everyone should be suspended for not following the rules. This is not Afghanistan or Pakistan. Students should follow the rules of the college. The controversy over hijab started in Karnataka in December 2021
On 31 December 2021, 6 Muslim girl students were barred from wearing hijab in a college in Udupi district of Karnataka, after which they sat on a dharna. This controversy also spread to the rest of the state. After this, students associated with Hindu organizations started coming to college wearing saffron shawls in return. When violence broke out, in February 2022, the state government banned wearing all kinds of religious identity clothes in schools and colleges. The order said that any cloth that disturbs equality, integrity and public law and order will not be allowed to be worn. There was a lot of uproar over this order. Some people challenged the decision of the Karnataka government in the High Court. On March 15, 2022, the Karnataka High Court declared college uniforms mandatory. In December 2023, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah lifted the ban on hijab
After the formation of the Congress government in Karnataka in May 2023, in December, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the lifting of the ban on wearing hijab in schools and colleges in the state. The CM had taken this decision citing personal freedom and right to choice. Siddaramaiah had said, ‘Women can wear hijab and go to colleges. I have instructed the officials to withdraw the ban order. The choice of dress and food is personal. Why should I interfere in this? Wear whatever you want. Eat whatever you want. I wear dhoti, you wear pant shirt. What is wrong in this? Politics should not be done for votes.’
