Around 30 Kashmiri nursing students studying at Mewar University in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, are facing serious problems after protesting about their B.Sc. Nursing course allegedly lacking mandatory recognition.
Students claim the course does not have approval from the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and the Rajasthan Nursing Council (RNC). Without these approvals, students fear their degrees may not be valid for professional registration, employment, or higher education.
Many of the affected students were admitted under schemes such as the Indian Army Goodwill programme and the Jammu and Kashmir Special Scholarship Scheme (JKSSS) for the 2022–2026 batch. Reports suggest that more than 50 Kashmiri students could be affected by the issue.
Protests and Student Suspensions
In February 2026, students started protests and staged a multi-day sit-in at the university campus demanding clarity about the course recognition and their future.
Following the demonstrations, the university suspended 33 students, most of whom were reportedly from Kashmir.
Students say the university had earlier assured them that if approvals were not obtained by late 2024, they would be transferred to a recognised institution. However, according to the students, this promise has not been fulfilled.
Clashes and Alleged Assault
During the protests, tensions increased and clashes were reported between Kashmiri students and some other groups on campus. According to student organisations, at least four students were injured, and one female student was allegedly manhandled.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) strongly condemned the incident and demanded protection for the students. The organisation also called for an investigation into the alleged assaults and the revocation of student suspensions.
JKSA has urged authorities to intervene and resolve the matter to protect the academic future of the affected students.
Police Detentions During Fresh Protests
In early March 2026, tensions rose again when protests continued on campus. Reports say that 17 Kashmiri nursing students were detained by Rajasthan Police after clashes during demonstrations.
Student activists and organisations criticised the detentions and described them as excessive action. They have called on both the Rajasthan government and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to intervene.
Demand for Government Intervention
Student bodies and activists are demanding:
- Immediate clarification on the course recognition status
- Transfer of students to a recognised nursing institution if approvals are not granted
- Revocation of suspensions imposed on protesting students
- Safety and protection for Kashmiri students studying outside the region
As of March 2026, the issue remains unresolved. Many students fear that years of study and significant fees could be wasted if the course remains unrecognised.
The controversy has once again raised concerns about private universities admitting students into professional courses without full regulatory approvals, especially students coming from other states under scholarship schemes.
