In Karnataka, a group of nursing students from Jammu Kashmir enrolled at Government Nursing College, Holenarasipura, has voiced their frustration over college grooming policies that they feel infringe on their cultural and religious rights.
The students, who are part of a special scholarship scheme, claim they were instructed by college authorities to shave or trim their beards, with warnings that failure to comply would result in being marked absent from clinical duties, Indian Express reported.
“We are being forced to choose between our education and our beliefs,” one student expressed, describing the policy as both “arbitrary” and “culturally insensitive.”
According to the students, the directive could not only affect their daily campus life but also influence their internal assessments and practical exams, potentially impacting their academic records.
Chandrashekar Hadapad, the principal of the nursing college, addressed the issue by stating that the students were only asked to maintain a neat appearance, which he considers essential for nursing.
“We have informed the students that maintaining a professional appearance is critical, especially in a field like nursing where discipline is paramount. We only asked them to keep their beard trimmed; there was no requirement to shave it completely,” Hadapad said.
He further noted, “We understand that this is part of their custom, and we are trying to balance that with the need for professionalism.”
The principal added that discussions with faculty, including the clinical instructor, emphasized the importance of appearance in healthcare settings.
“One of the instructors did advise that students not attend clinical duties if they do not maintain a professional appearance,” he explained.
“Our intention is not to dismiss cultural sensitivities but to uphold standards that we believe are expected in the nursing field.”
Adding another dimension to the issue, college officials stated that several students from Jammu Kashmir also had attendance concerns.
“Some students are not regular in clinical activities, and there is already a shortage in their attendance,” Hadapad mentioned.
Following this controversy, the college has come under scrutiny, and Karnataka’s medical education department has responded by issuing a show-cause notice to the principal, reminding the administration to approach such matters cautiously.