Srinagar, Sept 29: PDP senior leader Mohd Rafique Rather has expressed deep anguish and strong condemnation over the silence of the present National Conference-led government on the shocking derecognition of 13 nursing colleges in Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian Nursing Council (INC).
Rafique Rather in a press statement said the decision has shattered the hopes of hundreds of students and their families who invested their blood, sweat, and hard-earned money into professional nursing education. “Poor parents have even sold their lands and valuable assets to send their wards for nursing training, but today their sacrifices stand wasted. The silence of the government, despite repeated reminders from Indian NursingCouncil, is not only unfortunate but criminal negligence,” Rather remarked.
Rather said the derecognition under Section 14 of the INC Act has stripped nursing degrees in J&K of all-India validity, blocking graduates from seeking jobs outside the Union Territory of JK. “This is not merely a procedural issue, it is about livelihoods, dignity, and the future of our youth. Students are on the roads protesting, parents are in despair, yet the government continues to remain a mute spectator,” Rafique Rather said.
Targeting the present dispensation, the PDP leader asked: “If a government with such a huge mandate cannot even mitigate the sufferings of common people and safeguard the careers of our youth, then what is this government for? Is it only to enjoy protocols, perks, and power while the public pays the price?”
Rather further said the episode has cast a dark shadow on the credibility of nursing education in J&K and exposed the inefficiency of the government in handling vital sectors like health and education. “This government has failed on all fronts and has lost every shred of moral authority to continue in power,” he added.
Rafique Rather demanded immediate engagement with the Indian Nursing Council and urgent corrective measures to restore recognition of these institutions, warning that continued inaction will permanently jeopardize the future of hundreds of young professionals and erode trust in J&K’s education system.
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