Srinagar, June 26 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin to intervene in an alleged case of religious discrimination, wherein a young Kashmiri doctor was forced to forgo a super‑speciality seat for allegedly refusing to shave his beard.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, the Association as per news agency JKNS stated that Dr. Zubair Ahmad from the Kashmir Valley was allotted a DrNB (Nephrology) seat at Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital (KMCH), Coimbatore, through the NEET‑SS second counselling conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS). Upon reporting for admission, the doctor was asked to sign a policy agreement stating he must be clean‑shaven — a condition he said contradicted his religious obligations as a practising Muslim.
“Although he offered to cover his beard with a surgical mask and adhere to all hygiene protocols, the hospital refused to accept this accommodation,” the Association said in its letter. According to the Association’s National Convenor, Nasir Khuehami, the hospital made it clear that “Dr. Zubair must shave or trim his beard to be eligible for admission.”
The letter further pointed out that this restriction was never disclosed during the counselling process. “Had this beard policy been announced earlier, he would not have opted for the institution,” it stated, adding that with no other option, the doctor was compelled to withdraw from the programme despite having earned the seat through all‑India merit. The Association said the doctor has now requested NBEMS to allow him to participate in the third counselling round and refund the Rs. 2‑lakh security deposit.
The Association condemned the incident as a clear violation of Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to religious freedom. “The hospital’s insistence on a ‘clean‑shaven, corporate appearance’ is neither essential for medical education nor aligned with patient care, ethics, or hygiene — the core pillars of the medical profession,” the Association stated.
Khuehami said that such policies are not only discriminatory but also exclusionary, sending a disturbing message to students from marginalised and minority communities. The Association expressed its disappointment that the incident occurred in Tamil Nadu, a state long celebrated for its progressive and inclusive values.
“Tamil Nadu has long welcomed students and professionals from across India, including Kashmir. This incident threatens to tarnish that proud legacy and sends a troubling signal about acceptance and inclusivity,” Khuehami added.
The Association has urged CM Stalin to take urgent action to protect religious freedoms across educational and healthcare institutions in the state. “We request your intervention to discourage policies that infringe upon constitutional rights and to help restore the confidence of students and professionals who consider Tamil Nadu a beacon of progress, tolerance, and justice,” the statement reads. (JKNS)