The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has demanded the immediate intervention of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after a brutal ragging incident involving Hamim, a second-year MBBS student from Anantnag, Kashmir, at Al-Ameen Medical College in Bijapur, came to light.
According to JKSA convener Nasir Khuhami, Hamim was assaulted by senior students from the 2019 batch on February 18 when he went to the college playground to watch a cricket match between the 2019 and 2022 batches at 4pm.
He said a senior ordered Hamim to stay outside the boundary. When Hamim, captain of the 2023 batch team, insisted on his right to be near the field, the seniors accused him of ‘defiance’ and began to verbally abuse him.
“The situation escalated into outright bullying, with seniors humiliating him by forcing him to perform an ‘Al-Ameen salute’, sing songs, and dance for their amusement,’’ Khuhami said. “They even attempted to force him into their car, implying further harm.”
Last year, a senior had confronted him for not greeting him in the mess.
Khuhami said Hamim tried to record the incident on his phone, but it enraged the senior further. “Later that evening, a group of 6-8 individuals stormed into his hostel room, and assaulted him brutally,” he said.
“They forced him to record a video apologising under duress and issued chilling threats, including death threats and a ban on playing cricket for the next four years.”
Khuhami said that the incident is a failure of the system meant to protect students.
He demanded legal action against the ‘perpetrators’ and stronger anti-ragging measures to protect non-locals and Kashmiri students from discrimination.
He said they demand strict action against the accused students, including their immediate expulsion, to set a strong precedent against ragging.
They also urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to personally intervene, ensure swift justice for Hamim, and safeguard the rights and safety of non-local students in educational institutions.
