Protests have erupted in the Jammu region over admissions to the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Institute of Medical Excellence. The controversy stems from approximately 90% of the first batch of medical program seats reportedly going to students from Kashmir.
Outfits associated with the Sangh Parivar are demanding the admission list be scrapped. The Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE) released the list. It cleared 50 candidates from the J&K region for the Katra-based college. Thirty-nine candidates from Jammu and Kashmir districts have already been admitted.
Protesters’ Demands and Claims
BJP MLA RS Pathania from Udhampur, alongside the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal, has expressed solidarity with the protests. They argue the institute was established using donations offered to the Vaishno Devi shrine. These groups state the college should not be dominated by Muslim community members. They demand seats be reserved for Hindu candidates.
Rajesh Gupta, VHP J&K president, called the current list of 50 students “a conspiracy to Islamize the medical college.” He demanded admissions for the 2025-26 session be halted. Gupta insisted management correct its “mistake” and ensure a majority of future students are Hindu.
Rakesh Bajrangi, from Bajrang Dal J&K, affirmed their position. He stated, “We have no objection to candidates from Kashmir taking admission in any other medical college.” However, he added, “seats should be reserved for Hindu candidates in the Vaishnodevi college, as it has come up with Vaishno Devi shrine donations.”
Medical College Defends Admission Process
Officials from the Vaishnodevi Medical College maintain admissions followed established regulations. They state the process adhered strictly to National Medical Council (NMC) guidelines. These rules mandate admissions for all 1,685 seats across J&K’s 13 medical colleges must occur based on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) list.
An official clarified the domicile conditions for admissions. Eighty-five percent of the seats are reserved for Union Territory (UT) domiciles. The remaining 15% are open to candidates from across the country.
Admission Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Candidates Cleared by JKBOPEE | 50 |
| Already Admitted (from J&K districts) | 39 |
| Approximate % from Kashmir (first batch) | 90% (Protesters’ claim) |
| Total Medical Colleges in J&K | 13 |
| Total Seats in J&K Medical Colleges | 1,685 |
Rules Governing Admissions
- Admissions are based on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) list.
- 85% of seats are reserved for UT domiciles .
- 15% of seats are open to candidates from the rest of the country .
The medical college asserts all admissions align with these national and regional guidelines. The protests continue amidst these differing claims regarding the admission process and the institute’s funding origins.