Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday suggested closing the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence . Abdullah recommended shifting its admitted students to other government medical colleges. This statement followed ongoing protests against admissions to the college.
The Chief Minister strongly defended the students’ admission. He stated all 50 students secured their seats purely on merit. Abdullah denounced those protesting the admissions.
Protests Over Merit Admissions
The college admitted its inaugural MBBS batch of 50 students in November . Admissions occurred through the NEET entrance examination. The batch includes 42 Muslim students , mostly from Kashmir. It also has seven Hindu students from Jammu and one Sikh student .
Protests began shortly after these admissions were completed. The BJP-supported Sangharsh Samiti leads these demonstrations. This group is a new conglomeration of various right-wing organizations. They oppose the current admission process.
“Why are people protesting again today? On what basis are they protesting?” Abdullah questioned reporters. “Those children worked hard to get their seats. No one did them any favour, neither me nor the university.”
Chief Minister Recommends College Closure
Abdullah expressed concern about the college’s environment. He noted no student would want to study there due to the prevailing atmosphere. He added that, as a parent, he would fear sending his child to such an institution.
The Chief Minister specifically urged the Union Ministry of Health to intervene. “By all means, the Union Ministry of Health should shift them to some other medical college of ours so that they can continue their education,” Abdullah stated.
He reiterated his call to close the college. “We do not want to send them to a place where so much politics is being done. Close that medical college. That medical college is not worth opening. Close it.”
Abdullah emphasized ensuring the affected students complete their education. He suggested adjusting them in other government medical colleges.
Politics and Religion in Public Life
Chief Minister Abdullah also criticized the protesters for mixing religion with public life. He extended his comments beyond education to sports. He specifically mentioned the recent victory of the J&K U-16 cricket team in the Vijay Merchant Trophy .
“You should ask questions to those who connect the game with politics,” Abdullah remarked. He stated his party, the National Conference , views every game without religious bias.
Abdullah accused the protesters of seeing only religion. He cited past objections to the football team when it had more Muslim players. He noted their lack of objection when the cricket team had fewer Muslim players.
“In everything, they bring religion. They bring religion into education. They bring religion into sports,” Abdullah asserted. “They have crossed the limits by suggesting what to eat and drink. What is left now? Since they have no issue, they are now trying to separate Jammu.”
Earlier, Abdullah congratulated the J&K U-16 cricket team on X. He described their victory as a “historic BCCI title” and a reflection of rising cricketing talent in Jammu & Kashmir.