Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sparked fresh controversy by suggesting that the newly established Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College be closed and the 46 Muslim students admitted to its inaugural MBBS batch be transferred to other government medical colleges. The remarks came amid mounting protests from local residents, Hindu organisations, and groups such as the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti and Bajrang Dal, who have demanded reservations for Hindu candidates. Protesters argue that the institution, largely funded through donations from devotees of the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, should prioritise local Hindu students rather than admitting students from outside the region. Demonstrations included sloganeering near the civil secretariat and the burning of an effigy of the shrine board, with police sealing the secretariat area to prevent escalation.

The admission of 46 Muslim students out of 50 in the maiden batch has triggered widespread outrage in Jammu, where critics allege a lack of transparency in the selection process conducted by the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE). Youth wing members of the Sangharsh Samiti accused the government of discriminatory policies and misuse of constitutional institutions to favour a specific community. Colonel (retd) Sukhvir Singh Mankotia, convener of the Samiti, emphasised that any compromise on fairness in sacred sectors like education and healthcare was unacceptable, calling for the immediate cancellation of the admissions and restoration of an impartial system.

Responding to media queries after reviewing public works department projects, Omar Abdullah defended the students, stating that they had earned their seats through merit and hard work, with no favouritism involved. He accused the BJP of engaging in communal politics by injecting religion into matters of education, sports, and even food habits. The chief minister sarcastically remarked that if the BJP wished to make Jammu a separate state, nothing was stopping them, drawing parallels to the bifurcation of Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir. He further asserted that neither the students nor their parents would want to study in an environment overshadowed by political controversy, urging the Government of India and the Union Health Ministry to facilitate transfers to other institutions.

The controversy has been compounded by the National Medical Commission's recent withdrawal of recognition for the college, citing "gross deficiencies" in infrastructure and facilities, even as the admission row intensified. Omar Abdullah highlighted that the institution was not essential if it became a source of division, proposing its closure to resolve the issue definitively. His comments have drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and protest groups, who view them as dismissive of local sentiments and the shrine's religious significance.

This episode underscores the delicate intersection of religion, education, and regional identity in Jammu and Kashmir. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine holds profound spiritual importance for millions of Hindu devotees across India, and its associated institutions often carry heightened expectations of inclusivity and fairness. As protests continue and demands for accountability grow, the state government faces the challenge of balancing merit-based admissions with community sensitivities in a region already navigating complex political dynamics. The outcome of this row could influence public perception of governance and educational policies in the Union Territory ahead of future elections.

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