By Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Kashmiri Muslim students at the Government College of Nursing in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, have alleged religious discrimination during the holy month of Ramadan, claiming that college authorities refused to make basic arrangements for sehri (pre-dawn) and iftar (breaking of fast) and attempted to restrict the wearing of hijab.
The allegations have sparked concern after the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association issued a statement seeking immediate intervention from the Andhra Pradesh government.
According to the students, who are pursuing BSc Nursing under the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme, the college administration declined requests to facilitate basic arrangements related to fasting during Ramadan.
The students allege that they sought adjustments for sehri and iftar meals, but their requests were rejected.
“We only asked for minimal arrangements during Ramadan so we could observe our fast properly,” one student reportedly said. “Instead, we were told that if religion was so important to us, we should not have chosen this college.”
They further claim that some students were prevented from bringing food from outside for sehri and iftar and were advised that they should have enrolled elsewhere if they intended to prioritise religious practices.
The students also allege that attempts were made to discourage or restrict them from wearing the hijab on campus. According to their complaint, they were asked to remove the headscarf and refrain from visibly practising religious customs.
One student said, “We were told to remove our hijab and avoid religious observances. We believe this violates our fundamental rights.”
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
