• Source:JND

Leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have criticised the National Medical Council's (NMC) decision to withdraw permission to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) for the MBBS course following weeks of protests and a row over the admission of Muslim students.

PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mahbooba Mufti has called the NMC's decision "communalisation of education." The Indian Express, in its report, quoted Mufti saying that the decision starkly exposes the "damaging consequences of the communalisation of education".

"Instead of treating the disease, the patient is being punished for no fault," she was quoted as saying.

The ruling National Conference also criticised the NMC order, calling it unfortunate. NC leader and minister Javed Rana said, "I believe that this is not a healthy issue for a democratic country. If we say that admissions in educational institutions should happen on the basis of religion or region, it is harmful for a healthy society."

What did NMS say in its cancellation order?

Earlier on Tuesday, the NMC withdrew the Letter of Permission (LoP) from the SMVDIME, a document issued to institutes to offer the MBBS courses for the session 2025-26.

The NMC said that the decision was taken as the institute failed to comply with the minimum standards prescribed for medical education.

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The LoP was withdrawn due to a lack of required infrastructure, faculty strength, clinical material, and resident doctor availability.

How Did Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute Controversy Erupt?

The newly established medical college associated with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was allotted 50 MBBS seats, but in the academic year 2025-26, 42 seats were allocated to Muslim candidates while only 8 were allocated to Hindus.

The institute soon found itself in controversy that intensified over the past few months. The BJP and other Hindu organisations, including Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, protested, highlighting that the institute was funded by the Shrine Board and the donations of the Hindu pilgrims, but preference was allegedly granted to Muslim candidates.

On January 2, a team from the NMC arrived in Jammu for an inspection and decided to withdraw permission for the medical course later.

The committee said that, along with raising a voice against discrimination from Jammu, their next fight will now be for an amendment in the constitution of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, so that the offerings of Hindus are not misused in any way.

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Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti seeks amendment in Shrine Board constitution

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti welcomed the NMC decision, calling it a success of the protest going on for 45 days.

However, the committee said that their next fight will be for an amendment to the constitution of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, so that the offerings of Hindus are not misused.


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