Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
NEW DELHI: The closure of Srinagar airport, brought about by intensified security measures in the aftermath of the Indian air strike on terror hideouts in PoK and Pakistan, alongside the shutting of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) owing to mudslides and flash floods, has left several Kashmiri students stranded.The students, some of whom had flown back to their homes due to safety concerns amid reported incidents of backlash and threats following the Pahalgam incident, now find themselves unable to travel.As entrance exams for admissions into post-graduate programmes at Jamia Millia Islamia have commenced, the students — having spent the year in preparation — are unable to make it to Delhi due to the current restrictions. Their association has appealed to the authorities to intervene or postpone the exams because of the exceptional circumstances.Pariyana Hilal, a postgraduate aspirant who completed her graduation from Delhi University in 2024, was back home preparing for her MA Political Science entrance at Jamia and CUET. She was en route to Delhi when her journey was disrupted.“My mother and I left home at 7am. It’s 7pm now, and I am still stuck on the way. It’s raining black and blue here and there’s a landslide. My entrance exam is on May 10. My flight today was cancelled due to security reasons, and now the only way left to reach Delhi is also obstructed. We feel frustrated and can only hope the authorities allow us to leave,” she said.Yasir, another MA aspirant at Jamia, said, “During such times, education becomes the first casualty. Schools are closed here for security reasons. We have Jamia PG entrances but are facing challenges reaching Delhi. The national highway is shut. Students in Jammu and Kashmir are stranded and feel cut off.” “These entrance exams are life-changing, and we prepare for them year-long. It’s unfair that every time something like this happens, we are stuck in between, unable to move,” he added.The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has written to authorities in J&K and has also approached Jamia Millia Islamia, requesting the university to consider postponing the entrance exams or conduct a special round for the impacted candidates.In a public statement, the association said, “Despite repeated concerns, the plight of hundreds of Kashmiri students remains unaddressed. Jamia Millia Islamia has started its entrance examinations, but many aspirants from Kashmir are unable to make it to Delhi due to the prevailing security situation in the Valley. These are not ordinary exams. They are life-shaping moments that students have prepared for over months, even years.It is unjust that they are being denied this opportunity due to circumstances beyond their control.”The association has appealed to the J&K lieutenant governor to intervene and take up the matter with the Union education minister and the Jamia vice-chancellor, Prof Mazher Asif.Entrance exams at Jamia, whose admissions for PG courses are through the university’s own tests, are currently underway. Admissions to PG programmes in DU and JNU are based on CUET-PG, the results for which are expected soon, after which admissions will commence in those universities as well.
Mayank Rawat
