Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said he would take up with the Punjab government the controversy surrounding the alleged harassment and eviction threats faced by Kashmiri Muslim students seeking special meal arrangements during the holy month of Ramzan.
Speaking to reporters, Omar said he would speak to the Chief Minister of Punjab, stressing that the matter primarily falls within the university’s jurisdiction.
“This is the university’s job. The Punjab government has always supported Jammu and Kashmir, and I can say with confidence that the Punjab government will not allow this,” he said.
He added that the university administration must address the issue and ensure that students do not face hardship.
“The university will have to work on this. If Kashmiri students have to face such difficulties anywhere, it will be set right,” he said.
The remarks came after reports surfaced alleging that Kashmiri students were threatened with eviction and harassment at CT University, Punjab, after requesting special meal arrangements during Ramzan.
Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association had sought the intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over alleged harassment and eviction threats faced by Muslim Kashmiri students.
The Association said it has received serious complaints from students alleging that they were threatened with eviction from their hostels and cancellation of their admissions for seeking meals at appropriate timings in the university mess during Ramzan.
National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, stated that the students are regular fee-paying boarders who merely requested necessary meal arrangements in view of Ramzan.
However, instead of addressing their legitimate and reasonable demand, they allege that the Vice Chancellor and certain other university officials responded with intimidation, abusive language, and warnings to vacate the campus.
