Thu Jun 26 17:06:25 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Kashmiri Doctor Alleges Religious Discrimination Over Beard Policy at Coimbatore Hospital**
**COIMBATORE, June 26, 2025** – A Muslim doctor from Kashmir Valley alleges he was forced to withdraw from a DNB (nephrology) program at Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH) in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, after being asked to sign a policy document prohibiting beards. The Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association has called for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to intervene.
According to the Association, Dr. Zubair Ahmad, who secured his seat through NEET SS, was allegedly told he would be denied enrollment if he refused to trim or shave his beard, despite offering to conceal it with a surgical mask and adhere to all hygiene protocols. The Association claims this policy was not transparently disclosed during the counselling process, leading Dr. Ahmad to withdraw and request the return of his security deposit.
KMCH sources dispute the allegation of outright prohibition, claiming Dr. Ahmad was only asked to trim his long beard for hygiene purposes, citing the potential for contamination in operation theatres where he would be undergoing training involving organ harvesting and transplantation. The source stated, “a very long beard might come in contact with the operating area or surgical equipment.”
The hospital also alleges that Muslim students from Jammu and Kashmir already study at the hospital and that neatly trimmed beards are not restricted. A hospital source said a Kashmiri student also spoke to a Muslim cleric in Srinagar, who advised there was nothing wrong with trimming the beard to follow hygiene practices as part of medical education.
After the doctor contacted the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) alleging denial of seat, the hospital says it was asked to admit him and has replied that he was not denied admission and he was permitted to join. The NBEMS subsequently extended the deadline for him to join.
The hospital’s Medical Director has declined to comment. The Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association has not responded to requests for further clarification.
First Piper 