Kashmiri students face religious harassment, hijab restrictions, suspension threats in Andhra Pradesh
Amaravati: Kashmiri students enrolled at the Government College of Nursing in Kurnool in Indian state of Andhra Pradesh have said they are facing systematic discrimination, religious harassment, intimidation, restrictions on wearing the hijab and even threats of suspension by the college administration. The students said they are being targeted because of their Kashmiri identity and Muslim faith.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the IIOJK Students Association said that female students from Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), pursuing BSc Nursing at the institution, have reported denial of basic Ramadan facilities, restrictions on wearing the hijab, verbal abuse, and threats of suspension.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, the Association sought urgent intervention, highlighting what it described as “systematic discrimination, humiliation and harassment.” It said the situation has created “an atmosphere of fear and mental distress,” severely affecting the students’ academic performance and overall well-being.
The students complained that despite being regular fee-paying boarders, they were denied Sehri and Iftar arrangements during Ramadan and were not granted reasonable flexibility during fasting hours. They further said that authorities questioned why they had chosen the college “if they were so much into Ramzan and religious practices,” remarks they termed discriminatory and inappropriate.
The Association said students were also stopped from bringing food from outside for Sehri and Iftar. They said that some were asked to remove their hijab and refrain from observing religious practices, calling it a violation of their fundamental rights.
The students further said that Kashmiri students were singled out and subjected to verbal abuse, being called “dumb,” “useless,” “idiot,” and even “terrorists.” They also said that they were warned of suspension if they continued to raise concerns about the treatment meted out to them.
