New Delhi: Delhi University’s proctor office has recently issued a circular asking its Kashmiri students to provide their Aadhaar number and details of their residence in Delhi, leading to allegations of privacy violations among students.The Wire spoke to Kashmiri students regarding the university’s decision. They said that this action constitutes a breach of their privacy and reflects discriminatory behaviour against them.“Kashmiri students are already being targeted in various regions across the country. In such a situation, the issuance of such a circular instils fear. On the one hand, the government claims to aim for the integration of Kashmiris with the rest of the nation. But on the other hand, we are simultaneously being singled out,” said Nasir Khuehami, the National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association.Accusing the university administration of being biased, Khuehami asked, ‘Is this profiling an attempt to indicate that Kashmiri students are different, suspicious or not equal citizens of this country?’When asked about the concerns of Kashmiri students, the university proctor said that these measures are taken for the safety of the Kashmiri student population.The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has formally addressed a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, opposing the university’s decision.What are the specific requests outlined in the correspondence to the Home Ministry?In their letter, the JKSA has highlighted that numerous colleges affiliated with Delhi University have requested personal information from students hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, including their addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and course details.This requirement was not imposed on students from other states or union territories in India, leading to concerns that Kashmiri students are being singled out for monitoring or profiling, which infringes upon their constitutional rights to equality, dignity, and privacy.The letter states that a climate of fear and uncertainty has been instilled in the minds of Kashmiri students, who are apprehensive about how this data will be used. Furthermore, it highlights that following the Pahalgam incident, Kashmiri students are increasingly being singled out nationwide, and this measure will exacerbate the existing circumstances.The letter written to Home Minister Amit Shah on behalf of Jammu and Kashmir Students Association. Photo: JKSAThe university administration’s claim that this directive originates from the Home Ministry lacks credibility, as this information is already collected during the admission process.The JKSA’s letter addressed to Home Minister Shah has three main demands:Immediate revocation of any directive or circular that profiles Jammu and Kashmir students in Delhi University.A clear statement from Delhi University authorities disavowing such practices.The issuance of guidelines to ensure that no educational institution engages in regional, ethnic, or religious profiling of students under any pretext.What does the university administration say?Speaking to The Wire Hindi, Delhi University Proctor Professor Rajni Abbi stated that the Intelligence, Home Ministry, inquired about the number of students from Kashmir, which led her to request data from colleges and hostels.Abbi emphasised that she had not received any formal written directive regarding this matter, but rather a phone call. When asked if similar information was being requested from students of other states or union territories, the Proctor expressed ignorance.Despite the objections raised by Kashmiri students, the Proctor has ruled out the possibility of withdrawing this decision.Is this a violation of the privacy of students?“If the university has issued such a circular, it is entirely inappropriate. This is what we call racial profiling. It infringes upon Articles 21 and 15, as well as the commitment to ‘fraternity’ outlined in the preamble of the Indian Constitution,” says Supreme Court lawyer Shahrukh Alam.Alam interprets this action as a type of collective punishment and emphasizes that it clearly violates the right to privacy.“Since April 22, universities have failed to take any measures to provide reassurance to Kashmiri students on campus,” Delhi University professor Apoorvanand wrote in a post on X.“Now, with this new incident, it is understandable that Kashmiri students feel afraid, especially since numerous universities have been seen openly supporting the RSS,” he added.How is the situation at other universities?The Wire also reached out to Kashmiri students at Jamia Millia Islamia, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Dr. BR Ambedkar University. However, they have not been issued any circular similar to that received by the Kashmiri students of Delhi University.Nonetheless, some Kashmiri students reported receiving phone calls from local police requesting their personal information.Syed, a student from Ambedkar University stated, “I received a call from someone claiming to be from Moti Nagar police who inquired about my address. I declined to provide any details.”Translated from the Hindi original – published first on The Wire Hindi – by Naushin Rehman.