‘Our college, our rules’: Karnataka college bans hijab, threatens Kashmiri students with expulsion; probe launched

Bengaluru: A nursing college in Bengaluru has come under fire for allegedly barring Kashmiri female students from attending classes for wearing the hijab or burkha. The students, according to Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), were threatened with expulsion and denial of academic records if they failed to comply with the directive.

The incident occurred at Sri Soubhagya Lalitha College of Nursing, affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS). Students claim the college chairman entered a classroom and ordered hijab-wearing girls to leave, stating, “This is our college; only our rules apply.” Despite no official regulation supporting a hijab ban, the management allegedly insisted on its enforcement.

Following the reports, JKSA on Tuesday wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, calling for immediate action. The association said the students were being forced to choose between education and their religious beliefs—an act they termed “unconstitutional and discriminatory.”

Speaking to The Indian Express, Riyaz Basha, registrar (evaluation) at RGUHS, said, “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.”

National Convenor Nasir Khuehami condemned the college’s actions as a violation of fundamental rights under Articles 15, 21A, and 25 of the Constitution. He said the college cited fabricated university rules and Islamophobic justifications, even claiming such attire was not allowed “even in Kashmir.”

JKSA said the students have faced mental distress and humiliation, adding that the incident sends a chilling message to minority girls across the country. It urged the CM to direct the Education Department, RGUHS, and Minority Commission to investigate the matter and allow the students to resume classes without discrimination.

The association also called for disciplinary action against the college officials, warning that such incidents erode Karnataka’s reputation as a safe and inclusive education hub.