Baramulla, Sept 18: Tension gripped North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday morning as students of St. Joseph Nursing Institute staged a protest against the Indian Nursing Council’s (INC) decision to withdraw national recognition for the institute’s nursing programmes.
The move has sparked panic among hundreds of enrolled students, who fear that their degrees may no longer be valid outside Jammu and Kashmir.
Carrying placards and shouting slogans, the agitated students blocked traffic on the Baramulla–Srinagar highway for nearly half an hour. They appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Union Health Ministry to intervene urgently and restore recognition. “Without immediate action, our careers are ruined,” several protesters warned.
According to the INC’s recent order, recognition was withdrawn after serious deficiencies were found during an inspection under Section 14 of the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947. The directive states that degrees obtained after March 2025 will only hold validity within Jammu and Kashmir. Graduates will also be barred from appearing in national-level recruitment exams such as NORECT, CRE, ESIC, and RRB.
Visibly distressed students expressed their anger before officials and the media. “Now, we cannot apply for jobs outside J&K or sit in national exams,” one student said. Another added, “We got admission here through BOPEE. Only today we learned that our college lacks INC recognition. We appeal to the administration to save our future.”
Students also blamed the college management for negligence, alleging it failed to act despite repeated warnings from the INC. “The authorities betrayed us by keeping silent. Their carelessness has jeopardized our careers,” a protester remarked.
As the protest intensified, police and local officials rushed to the spot. SHO Baramulla Syed Ovais Geelani and Tehsildar Baramulla Inam-ul-Haq held talks with the students, urging them to disperse peacefully. College Principal Sister Vanisha later joined the discussions on campus.
Officials assured the students that their grievances would be taken up with higher authorities in Srinagar and New Delhi. “Every possible effort will be made to safeguard your academic future,” one official said. Following these assurances, the protesters called off their agitation and traffic on the highway was restored.
The episode has highlighted deep concerns over nursing education in the Valley. Observers warn that unless the issue is resolved swiftly, it could affect not just current batches but also future admissions to the institute.
