Kashmiri Muslim students at Sri Soubagaya College of Nursing in Bengaluru have accused the administration of denying them permission to offer their Friday (Jummah) prayers, a practice fundamental to their faith, New Indian Express reported.
The students claim repeated requests for accommodating their religious obligations have been ignored, causing them immense distress.
The students argue that this action violates Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to freely practice one’s religion.
“Education should not come at the cost of our religious beliefs or identity,” they stated, calling the college’s stance discriminatory and a threat to religious freedom.
The students have appealed to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to intervene and enforce policies that respect religious practices in educational institutions.
Additionally, they urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take up the matter with the Karnataka government, highlighting the emotional and spiritual distress caused by the college’s refusal.
Efforts to reach the administration of Sri Soubagaya College of Nursing for comment were unsuccessful.