Srinagar, February 24 – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah ordered an investigation into the alleged harassment of Kashmiri students at the CT University in Ludhiana, Punjab, on Tuesday.
Abdullah ordered the investigation after reports emerged that Kashmiri Muslim students at the CT University were forced to leave the campus following a dispute related to arrangements for 'Sehri' (pre-dawn meal) and 'Iftar' (post-sunset meal) during the holy month of Ramadan.
Reacting to the controversy, the Chief Minister said that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and that he would personally take it up with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Chief Minister Abdullah assured that the Punjab government would take responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in the state.
The allegations originated from the CT University in Ludhiana, where Kashmiri Muslim students claim they were threatened with eviction after requesting arrangements for Sehri and Iftar meals during Ramadan, despite having paid regular mess fees.
According to the students, this request led to alleged harassment and administrative pressure.
A 46-second video circulating on social media shows students gathered outside the campus, reportedly after being asked to vacate their accommodation.
The students have accused the university administration of misbehavior and coercion.
However, the university has not yet issued any official statement regarding the incident.
The incident has sparked widespread debate online, with many voices calling for reasonable religious accommodation under constitutional guarantees of equality and freedom of faith, while others have expressed differing views on the issue.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited his Assembly constituency, Ganderbal, on Tuesday, where he laid the foundation and inaugurated development works worth more than Rs 84 crore in the district.
He met delegations from different parts of Ganderbal and assured the public delegations that he would get their grievances resolved.
Among the development works inaugurated, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dedicated the CT scan unit at the Ganderbal district hospital to the people.