PUNJAB: Scores of Kashmiri students studying nursing at Desh Bhagat University (DBU), Punjab faced lathi charge as their protest entered 11th straight day against the alleged unapproved transfers of almost 70 students to unrecognised colleges by Desh Baght University (DBU).
The protesting students alleged that the decision lacks approval from the Indian Nursing Council and Punjab Nursing Registration Council without even considering their concerns.
Reliable sources told that the students’ future has been hanging in the balance, and due to this, they continued the peaceful protest for the 10th straight day. “However, the students were lathi charged resulting the injuries to a few,” the sources said.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has written to Union Minister for Health and Medical Education Mansukh Mandaviya Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over transfer of Kashmiri students enrolled in various paramedical courses from Desh Bhagat University (DBU) Punjab to Sardar Lal Singh College ‘without their consent.
In a Statement issued National Convenor of Association Nasir Khuehami demanded justice for the Kashmiri students of the Faculty of Nursing at Desh Bhagat University (DBU), who find themselves embroiled in a distressing admission debacle.
He said that, from Past two For the, nursing students at DBU have been protesting against the University administration’s arbitrary decision to transfer their admissions to a college that lacks approval from the INC (Indian Nursing Council) and PNRC (Punjab Nursing Registration Council). These students’ futures hang in the balance. Today, while peacefully protesting, female students were subjected to a lathi charge and confined within a university building to silence their voices against this unjust decision.
DBU has transferred approximately 70 Kashmiri students enrolled in various paramedical courses to Sardar Lal Singh College without their consent or will. This unilateral move by the university has been ongoing since last year when around 500 students from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, pursuing various paramedical courses at Desh Bhagat University, found themselves caught in a situation beyond their control, he said.
Sardar Lal Singh Memorial College, although affiliated with DBU Punjab, lacks recognition from the Indian Nursing Council. This not only violates established norms but also places these young scholars in a precarious position regarding their education and future careers.
It has come to light that Desh Bhagat University, Punjab, admitted 140 students, far exceeding the approved intake capacity, which ranges from 40 to 60 students. Consequently, these students are enduring immense stress and hardship, fearing that their career prospects are unjustly jeopardized due to the university’s actions. It is the responsibility of the university to address this issue urgently and find a fair and equitable solution that does not jeopardize the educational aspirations of these young nursing students.”, he emphasized.
When confronted by the affected students last year, university authorities assured them that the issue would be resolved. Unfortunately, despite these promises, the students’ predicament has worsened over time. They are currently in their third year of studies and have been informed by the DBU administration that they must cancel their admissions. This announcement has left the students with limited options and a bleak academic future.
Khuehami Urged Union Health Minister for Health and Medical Education Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, to ensure the preservation of these students’ registrations, allowing them to continue their nursing education without further hindrance. He urged Chief Minister to prioritize the resolution of this matter in the best interest of these young, aspiring nurses.
We demand justice for these students who have been unjustly caught in this predicament. A transparent and expeditious investigation is required to determine how DBU admitted more students than permitted by the Indian Nursing Council and to hold those responsible accountable.
