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Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
J-K student body alleges hijab ban at Karnataka nursing college, seeks CM Siddaramaiah's intervention
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) Tuesday sought the immediate intervention of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after four Kashmiri students were allegedly prevented from attending classes at a nursing college in Bengaluru for wearing the hijab or burkha. In a representation to the chief minister, the association alleged that the management of Sri Soubhagya Lalitha College of Nursing threatened the students with expulsion. Nasir Khuehami, national convener of the JKSA, claimed that students had been denied entry into classrooms and practical sessions for the past several days solely because of their religious attire. 'These Kashmiri female students have been systematically targeted, humiliated, and denied their fundamental right to education because they wear the burkha or abaya — an expression of modesty, dignity, and identity rooted in their religious and personal beliefs,' he said. According to Khuehami, the college chairman entered the classroom and ordered hijab-wearing students to leave immediately. 'When the students sought clarification, they were told, 'This is our college; only our rules apply.' The chairman and principal allegedly threatened to terminate their admissions and withhold academic records if they continued to wear the hijab,' he said. Khuehami stated that the students were warned they would not be permitted on campus unless they removed their hijabs. He noted that there is no official or legal policy in place to enforce such a ban. Additionally, he claimed that the students were instructed to adhere to 'so-called university rules' that prohibit hijabs and burqas, which he argued do not exist under law. The college administration was also said to have justified its stance by claiming that other students had objected to the presence of hijab-wearing peers. 'The chairman reportedly told the students that 'hijab and purdah are not allowed for medical students anywhere in the country, not even in Kashmir', and even declared that 'no article or fundamental right is applicable in our college',' Khuehami said, calling these remarks 'absurd, Islamophobic stereotypes'. Terming the college's conduct a 'direct and dangerous violation' of the Constitution, Khuehami said the institution had failed to uphold the rights guaranteed under Articles 25 (freedom of religion), 15 (prohibition of discrimination), and 21A (right to education). 'Forcing students to choose between their faith and their education is both unconscionable and unconstitutional,' he said. Meanwhile, the director of student welfare at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), to which the college is affiliated, has launched an investigation into the incident. Riyaz Basha, registrar (evaluation), told The Indian Express, 'We have already heard the submission made by the college principal and the chairman. We have called the Kashmiri students to RGUHS to hear their account, after which we will take appropriate action in line with government norms,' said Basha. According to the submissions made by the college management, the officials had only directed the removal of hijabs for identification purposes before entering the practical class. 'The college management clarified that they asked the girls to remove the hijab with a veil, for identification and verification purposes, so that there is no impersonation, before entering the practical classes. However, they were asked to wear it back later. Additionally, burkha or hijab is not allowed at clinical postings or patient visits. Instead, students should stick to the uniforms (apron) for such purposes,' said Basha. He added, 'At the outset, RGUHS ensures there is no such discrimination on a religious basis. Rules are enforced in line with patient care and students' interests.' In 2022, Karnataka witnessed a hijab controversy when a government pre-university college in Udupi banned the attire inside classrooms. This led to protests by many students, and the controversy sparked counter-protests from Hindu students who wore saffron shawls. The Karnataka government then banned religious attire in institutions with mandatory dress codes, and the Karnataka High Court upheld the government order. The matter later reached the Supreme Court, which delivered a split verdict and referred it to a larger bench for a final ruling. Sanath Prasad is a senior sub-editor and reporter with the Bengaluru bureau of Indian Express. He covers education, transport, infrastructure and trends and issues integral to Bengaluru. He holds more than two years of reporting experience in Karnataka. His major works include the impact of Hijab ban on Muslim girls in Karnataka, tracing the lives of the victims of Kerala cannibalism, exploring the trends in dairy market of Karnataka in the aftermath of Amul-Nandini controversy, and Karnataka State Elections among others. If he is not writing, he keeps himself engaged with badminton, swimming, and loves exploring. ... Read More
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Chief Minister launches special DigiLocker technology for registration of nurses
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday launched a special DigiLocker-based technology developed by the Karnataka State Nursing Council for the registration of nurses. The Chief Minister said the new technology facilitates the issuance of registration certificates through Aadhaar-based DigiLocker e-KYC. The system has been developed in collaboration with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the Centre for e-Governance (C-eG), the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), and the Karnataka State Nursing Examination Board. With this technology, the Karnataka State Nursing Council can directly retrieve personal data, address, photo, and other details of nurses from the Aadhaar server through e-KYC. Previously, nursing candidates from various districts had to travel to the council's central office in Bengaluru for registration. The new DigiLocker-Requester technology enables the council to directly fetch Aadhaar cards, SSLC and PU marks cards, and other certificates from respective examination boards. Using technology adopted by RGUHS and the board, examination results will be directly accessed by the council. Subsequently, registration certificates will be issued directly to nurses through DigiLocker-Issuer. Felicitation Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, felicitated four participants from Karnataka who won medallions of excellence at the WorldSkills Competition held in Lyon, France, a few months ago. The competition saw nine participants from Karnataka. Among them, Prem, Harshavardhan, Bhanu Prasad, and Darshan Gowda won medallions of excellence in three skills — additive manufacturing, cooking, and mechatronics categories. Earlier, 62 participants from Karnataka had competed in the national-level competition held in New Delhi. Karnataka participants won 13 gold, 12 silver, four bronze, and 19 Medals of Excellence at the event, securing the second position overall. They all were felicitated on Tuesday.
India Today
15-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Students' body urges Siddaramaiah to act against nursing college over hijab ban
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has appealed to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to urgently intervene in an incident of alleged religious discrimination at a nursing college in a letter written to the chief minister, the JKSA stated that female students from Kashmir at Sri Soubhagya Lalitha College of Nursing were barred from attending classes and threatened with expulsion for wearing the hijab or burqa. The college is affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS).advertisement'These Kashmiri female students have been systematically targeted, humiliated, and denied their fundamental right to education solely because they choose to wear the burkha or abaya,' the Association said in the letter. JKSA's National Convenor Nasir Khuehami claimed the college chairman entered a classroom and ordered hijab-wearing students to leave. When questioned, the chairman allegedly said, 'This is our college; only our rules apply,' and warned the students they would be terminated and their records withheld if they did not Association stressed that no legal or university policy prohibits hijab or burkha in classrooms, calling the enforcement of such a ban illegal and discriminatory. Khuehami noted that the administration justified the move by citing objections from other students and claimed, 'hijab and pardah are not allowed for medical students anywhere in the country.'JKSA condemned these remarks as 'absurd, Islamophobic stereotypes' and described the incident as a 'dangerous violation' of constitutional rights, citing Articles 25, 15, and 21A of the Indian the emotional and psychological toll, Khuehami said: 'It is heartbreaking and enraging in equal measure that students from a conflict-affected now being subjected to such humiliation and trauma.'The Association warned that the incident sends a chilling message to all minority students and undermines Karnataka's legacy of inclusivity. It urged the Chief Minister to direct the Education Department, RGUHS, and the Minority Commission to investigate the matter and ensure that affected students can return to class without compromising their religious also called for disciplinary action against the college officials involved and emphasised the need to restore trust among Kashmiri students studying in the state.- Ends
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Special DigiLocker technology for nurses' registration
For what is touted to be the first time in the country, a special DigiLocker-based technology developed by the Karnataka State Nursing Council for the registration of nurses is being implemented. In a press release, Sharanaprakash Patil, Minister for medical education, said that the new technology, which facilitates the issuance of registration certificates through Aadhaar-based DigiLocker e-KYC, will be officially launched on Tuesday, July 15 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The system has been developed in collaboration with UIDAI, C-eG, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and the Karnataka State Nursing Examination Board, the minister stated. With this technology, the Karnataka State Nursing Council can directly retrieve personal data, address, photo, and other details of nurses from the Aadhaar server through e-KYC. Previously, nursing candidates from various districts had to travel to the Council's central office in Bengaluru for registration, minister explained. New technology to avoid hassles Nurses from within and outside the State were forced to spend thousands of rupees on food and accommodation solely for registration purposes. They also had to wait in long queues at the Bengaluru office. Many women, pregnant women and new mothers faced considerable inconvenience. Dr. Patil said that the implementation of this new technology puts an end to all these issues. Helps prevent forgery The new DigiLocker-Requester technology enables the Karnataka Nursing Council to directly fetch Aadhaar cards, SSLC and PUC marks cards, and other certificates from respective examination boards. Using technology adopted by RGUHS and the Karnataka State Nursing Examination Board, examination results will be directly accessed by the Nursing Council. Later, through DigiLocker-Issuer, registration certificates will be issued directly to nurses.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Karnataka nursing council develops DigiLocker for registration of nurses
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah will on Tuesday unveil a DigiLocker-based technology for registration of nurses developed by the Karnataka State Nursing Council (KSNC).Medical education & skill development minister Dr Sharanprakash R Patil said it is a first of its kind initiative in the country. The technology will facilitate the issuance of registration certificates through Aadhaar-based DigiLocker system has been developed in collaboration with UIDAI , C-eG, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), and the Karnataka State Nursing Examination Board, the minister this technology, the KSNC can directly retrieve personal data, addresses, photos, and other details of nurses from the Aadhaar server through e-KYC. Previously, nursing candidates from various districts had to travel to the council's central office in Bengaluru for registration, he technology will prevent hasslesNurses from within and outside the state were forced to spend thousands of rupees on food and accommodation solely for registration purposes. They also had to wait in long queues at the Bengaluru office. Many women, including pregnant women and new mothers, faced considerable inconvenience. Minister Patil said that the implementation of this new technology will put an end to all these Aadhaar- and DigiLocker-based e-KYC system will be used to eliminate the difficulties faced by nurses coming from all corners of the state and other states to register with the Karnataka State Nursing Council. With the help of rapidly advancing digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), this innovative initiative by the government will bring relief to lakhs of nurses, said Dr K Mallu, registrar of the nursing new DigiLocker-Requester technology enables the KSNC to directly fetch Aadhaar cards, SSLC and PUC marks cards, and other certificates from respective examination boards. Using technology adopted by RGUHS and the Karnataka State Nursing Examination Board, examination results will be directly accessed by the KSNC. Later, through DigiLocker-Issuer, registration certificates will be issued directly to the nurses, he important aspect of this technology, according to Dr K Mallu, is that it will help curb the menace of fake registration certificates.
