The National Medical Commission’s decision to revoke permission for the MBBS course at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence has sparked controversy in Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the Sanghrash Samiti for protesting against the admission of non-Hindu candidates to the medical college.
Omar Abdullah emphasized that the candidates were selected based on merit, not favoritism. The NMC cited insufficient faculty and infrastructure during the latest inspection as reasons for withdrawing permission from SMVDIME. The Commission has instructed that students enrolled in the MBBS course at this college be accommodated in other medical institutions.
Thirteen Muslim and one Sikh candidate had secured admission, leading to protests by the Sangharsh Samiti. Despite receiving grants from the J&K government, SMVDIME was not considered a minority institution. The agitation and subsequent decision by the NMC have resulted in the college not commencing the MBBS course, affecting the growth of the medical profession in the region.
The loss of recognition for SMVDIME is seen as detrimental to the medical profession’s development in the union territory. The decision has raised concerns about the selection process based on religion rather than merit, hindering opportunities for deserving candidates. The move has also sparked discontent among the majority Muslim community, who fear discrimination in admissions based on religious criteria.
