Jammu: The admission row at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College in Jammu and Kashmir has escalated into a political and social controversy after the first batch of MBBS students saw 46 out of 50 seats allocated to Muslim candidates, prompting protests by local groups and Hindu organisations demanding reservations for Hindu students. Amid the escalating tensions, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah suggested on Tuesday that the BJP-led administration should consider relocating the admitted students to other government medical colleges and close the newly opened Vaishno Devi medical college to prevent further unrest.

The medical college, which was largely funded by donations from devotees of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, has become the focal point of criticism. Local groups and Hindu organisations argue that students from the Hindu community should be given priority because the institution was established with contributions from shrine devotees. Demonstrations have erupted near the civil secretariat and other locations, reflecting mounting public anger over what is being perceived as an unfair or biased selection process.

Omar Abdullah Accuses BJP of Communal Politics

Speaking to the media after reviewing projects under the Public Works Department, CM Omar Abdullah addressed the growing unrest. He stated that the students selected had done so based on merit and hard work, and no favours had been granted to them. “If you don’t want them there, then adjust them somewhere else,” he said, directly addressing criticisms and calls for reservation from Hindu groups.

Omar emphasized that the students themselves might not wish to continue their studies in a politically charged environment. “We request the Government of India and the health ministry to adjust these children in other colleges. Had I been a parent of these students, I wouldn’t have sent them. We wouldn’t want them to study where there’s so much politics,” he said.

He further proposed that the Vaishno Devi medical college be closed, suggesting that students be placed in other government medical institutions. “Give our children another medical college and close that medical college. We don’t need such a medical college,” he asserted.

Abdullah also criticized the BJP’s handling of regional issues, pointing to the party’s previous bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, which created the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. He sarcastically commented on calls by BJP leaders for a separate state of Jammu, saying, “They have already ruined Ladakh by separating it from J&K. Now, if they want to make Jammu a separate state, who is stopping them?” He accused the BJP of mixing religion with education, sports, and even food habits, creating divisions and communal tension.

Reservation Policy and Bureaucratic Delays

On the subject of delays in implementing a reservation policy at the college, Abdullah stated that the matter rested with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, as the cabinet had already vetted a report from a sub-committee. “We did our job. A cabinet sub-committee prepared a report and the cabinet vetted it before sending it to Lok Bhawan. Now, LG has to give his approval,” he said, shifting responsibility for delays to the bureaucratic process.

Response to International Sports Controversy

Abdullah also addressed questions about Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, who had been released by Kolkata Knight Riders amid reports of anti-Hindu atrocities in Bangladesh. Abdullah defended the player, noting that Bangladesh had not sponsored terrorism in India and that expelling him would do little to improve diplomatic relations. “We always had good relations with Bangladesh. Expelling a player will not solve anything; it could worsen relations,” he said.

Protests and Public Outcry

The row over MBBS admissions has led to protests by local youth groups and Hindu organisations. On Tuesday, the youth wing of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti gathered near the civil secretariat, accusing the government of discriminatory practices and alleging that the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) had conducted a flawed selection process favoring Muslim candidates.

During the protest, demonstrators raised slogans against the Union Territory government, targeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Health Minister Sakina Ittoo. They claimed that the future of local students was being compromised and constitutional mechanisms were being misused to benefit a particular community.

Colonel (retd) Sukhvir Singh Mankotia, convener of the Sangharsh Samiti, described any compromise in transparency in education and healthcare sectors as unacceptable. He demanded that the Chief Minister and health minister intervene immediately to cancel the flawed admission process and ensure a fair and impartial system for all students.

Meanwhile, Bajrang Dal activists, led by president Rakesh Bajragni, staged a protest at the Jammu bus stand, burning an effigy of the shrine board in opposition to the college’s admission policies. Police, anticipating further protests, sealed the civil secretariat to prevent mass gatherings.

The Larger Political Implications

The controversy underscores the sensitive interplay of religion, education, and politics in Jammu and Kashmir. While Omar Abdullah’s remarks focus on merit-based admission and maintaining communal harmony, the BJP and local Hindu organisations are pushing for preferential treatment for Hindu students, citing donations made to establish the college.

The incident also reflects tensions within Jammu’s political discourse, with debates over regional autonomy, religious representation, and fairness in government institutions coming to the forefront. The call for closure of the medical college and redistribution of students highlights the challenges faced by the administration in balancing meritocracy with community sentiments.

As the situation develops, the government’s next steps regarding the Vaishno Devi medical college admissions, reservation policies, and handling of protests will likely shape public perceptions of governance and communal relations in the region.