Kashmiri medical students in Jammu were beaten after an argument over the film ‘The Kerala Story’, according to Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA).
The JKSA said it has received distress calls by Kashmiri students at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu. Kashmiri Students there have complained that many of them were wounded after an argument over ‘The Kerala Story’, according to JKSA.
GMC Jammu Dr Shashi Sudan Sharma confirmed that five students suffered minor injuries, four of whom have been discharged. She added that an FIR has been registered and that disciplinary action will be taken in the matter.
Sharma said five students were wounded in the scuffle that took place at 10 p.m. last evening. She said the scuffle was instigated by a WhatsApp group message. She said interference of medicos who have left the college has been recorded. She said FIR has been registered in the incident and that disciplinary action will be initiated against those responsible for the scuffle.
“Ours is a big institute. And we will not tolerate any negative messaging from this institute. There is zero tolerance for such incidents,” the principal said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti also demanded action in the matter.
Omar asked the J&K Police to take cognisance of the “targeting of Kashmiri students in Jammu”. He said police must take cognisance of the attacks and ensure those responsible are brought to book.
“Very distressing images of gunda elements targeting Kashmiri students in Jammu,” said Omar as he shared the photos of bleeding students.
Omar said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha must ensure this is done in a time-bound manner. He also said that LG should reassure students that their safety will not be compromised at the altar of politics.
Jammu police chief Mukesh Singh said the police have taken cognizance of the matter.
“We are investigating it,” said ADGP Singh.
Mehbooba described the incident as shocking.
“Shocking that GoI promotes and encourages violence through movies stoking communal fires. The blood of innocents is being spilled to quench BJP’s insatiable thirst for petty electoral dividends. Request Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ji to take cognisance and punish the culprits,” said Mehbooba in a tweet.
Kashmiri students studying in the GMC Jammu staged protest on Monday. They said that on Sunday night, some students of the first year were arguing over controversial messages on a student’s WhatsApp group and later seniors also got involved in it. They said an argument started when some students posted controversial messages on a WhatsApp group of the college after watching ‘The Kerala Story’. There are around 180 students, all from J&K, in that group.
They alleged some students would post messages in the group asking everyone to watch the movie. Kashmiri students argued that it was an educational group of the college and controversial messages should not be placed there.
“One student was attacked with an iron rod and sustained head injuries with 12 stitches,” a statement issued by JK Students Association said.
Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the J&K Students Association, said J&K Government has taken action to address the issue after JKSA raised the issue with the authorities.
Khuehami said they raised the issue with the J&K Lieutenant Governor's office and ADGP Jammu Mukesh Singh to ensure that those responsible for the “thrashing incident” of the MBBS students are brought to justice.
Khuehami said that they are working closely with the authorities to ensure that such incidents do not occur again in the future. He said in response, J&K Lieutenant Governor's Media Advisor Yatish Yadav emphasized that there is zero tolerance towards anyone who tries to disturb communal harmony.
“We have been assured that timely action will be taken and a special security meeting will be held to address this incident,” Khuehami said while quoting ADGP Jammu Mukesh Singh.
Khuehami said J&K Students Association urges all students to maintain peace and order on campus.
“It is imperative to work together to create an atmosphere of peace and tolerance. We stand in solidarity with the affected students and assure their support in ensuring their safety and well-being. The Association remains committed to preventing such incidents from happening again in the future and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” Khuehami said.
What have students at GMC Jammu said?
“Our batch mate Deepak Chandali shared a video in the group. He shared a YouTube link of ‘The Kerala Story’. It was objected to by some Kashmiri students, including Arif Gul from Anantnag,” a group of medical students told The Outlook.
These students further said, “There were some who objected to it. They asked him (Chandali) to refrain from spreading negativity in the group. There were others also who told him to stop spreading this propaganda as the group is meant for study purpose only.”
Later, they said, “enraged” Chandali over “trolling” in the group forwarded these messages to some seniors studying in the college, who got angered and sensed an opportunity to target Muslim students.
The group said two senior students of the college, Ankit and Umesh, were looking for juniors at the hostel who had an altercation with Chandali in the group.
“There were some boys who were on picnic. We heard Ankit and Umesh were looking for juniors who had altercation with Chandali,” said students.
On Sunday evening at around 9:30 pm, the students said the scuffle broke out between the two groups of the college.
“Later, the police arrived at the campus. However, at around 3:00 am, Chandali’s group called outsiders inside the hostel who beat two senior students in presence of police,” they alleged.
An official at GMC Jammu one student, Haseeb Ahmed, a final year MBBS student from Doda’s Baderwah, was seriously injured.
“Haseeb was left seriously injured. He has got some 11 stitches. He has injuries on head and face,” said an official.
SSP Jammu Chandan Kohli confirmed to Outlook that the scuffle took place between students and outsiders at GMC Jammu’s hostel.
“There has been an incident of scuffle between some students and outsiders in GMC Hostel Jammu. Cognisance of the matter has been taken and investigation is going on,” he said.
GMC Jammu’s Hostel Warden Dr Rakesh Bahl said they have formed a committee which is investigating the matter.
Bahl said the students have received “chotee mote” (small) bruises. He didn’t comment further, saying he is not authorised to speak.
This is not the first such incident
The insiders at the college said this is not the first time the students have had altercation between them. In fact, there were unruly scenes at the campus during India-Pakistan T-20 cricket match at Dubai in 2021.
“Since then, there have been times when there are serious exchanges between the students at the campus,” said a college insider.
Incident ahead of G20 meeting being taken seriously
The G-20 meeting in Kashmir assumes significance since it is the first major event of international repute to be held in the region post-5 August 2019 when J&K’s special status was abrogated.
An official said a special security meet was held in the UT after the incident.
“LG’s office is not happy over the incident. There shouldn’t be bad press when this big event is taking place post-5 August 2019 in Kashmir,” said the official.
The students call for peace at the campus
The group of medical students have appealed the college administration to ensure peace prevails on the campus and “communal elements” are not given free run.
“We are holding protest at GMC Jammu campus. Hope our pleas are heard,” said the students from GMC Jammu.
