A group of Kashmiri students studying nursing in Karnataka have raised concerns about alleged discriminatory grooming standards enforced by the college administration, claiming they were pressured to trim or shave their beards. The students, who are recipients of the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS), argue the policy infringes on their cultural and religious rights. The college administration, however, maintains that they are simply enforcing professional grooming standards essential for the field of nursing. This incident has ignited a debate about balancing cultural sensitivity with professional expectations.