Chandigarh, April 26:
In a significant development aimed at safeguarding the interests of Kashmiri students pursuing higher education across India, noted youth activist Hakim Suhail Abbas called on Hon’ble Ms. Sakina Itoo, Cabinet Minister for Education, Health & Medical Education, and Social Welfare, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, during her visit to Chandigarh.
During the meeting, Hakim Suhail Abbas discussed in detail the concerns highlighted in a formal letter he had submitted earlier in the day. Central to the discussion was his proposal for the urgent implementation of a Mandatory Institutional Safety Clause in the admission prospectuses and policies of colleges and universities admitting students from Jammu and Kashmir.
Hakim stressed the growing need for structured, policy-level measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Kashmiri students, particularly in light of recent distressing incidents outside the Union Territory. He urged that educational institutions be held formally responsible for maintaining safe, inclusive, and supportive environments on their campuses and within hostel premises.
Furthermore, he appealed for regulatory guidance to be issued to educational consultants operating in Jammu and Kashmir, encouraging them to admit students only into institutions that provide explicit guarantees regarding student safety.
Ms. Sakina Itoo, who gave a patient hearing to the concerns raised, appreciated the initiative and assured her support in taking up the matter with the appropriate authorities. She acknowledged the urgency of the situation and expressed her commitment to safeguarding the educational aspirations and security of Kashmiri youth across India.
The meeting marks an important step towards the formulation of policies aimed at protecting students from conflict-affected regions, and has generated hope among families across Jammu and Kashmir for a safer and more supportive academic future for their children.
