Religious Discrimination in Tamil Nadu: Kashmiri Doctor Faces Hospital Beard Policy

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has raised alarm over an alleged case of religious discrimination involving a Kashmiri doctor and Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital (KMCH) in Tamil Nadu. The controversy arose when Dr. Zubair Ahmad, a Muslim physician from Kashmir, faced demands to shave his beard as a condition for enrolling in a DrNB (Nephrology) program secured through the NEET-SS second counselling round.

According to the Association, Dr. Zubair was required to sign a policy document at KMCH that prohibited beards, a condition conflicting with his Muslim beliefs. Despite his offer to use a surgical mask to cover his beard and follow all hygiene protocols, the hospital administration reportedly refused to make accommodations.

The situation has drawn criticism from Nasir Khuehami, the National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, who condemned the hospital's apparent inflexibility. He argued that the hospital's enforcement of a 'clean-shaven, corporate appearance' does not align with the core tenets of medical education and patient care. The Association has appealed to Chief Minister MK Stalin to address this issue swiftly, citing it as a violation of Article 25 of the Indian Constitution.

(With inputs from agencies.)