Row over 42 Muslim MBBS seats at Vaishno Devi college spurs BJP demand for changes
Row over 42 Muslim MBBS seats at Vaishno Devi college spurs BJP demand for changes
Controversy erupts as 42 of 50 MBBS seats at SMVDIME go to Muslim students, prompting BJP to push for admission-rule changes and amendments to Shrine Board and University Acts.
The first MBBS selection list for the 2025-26 academic year at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence has ignited a heated debate. With 42 out of 50 seats allocated to Muslim students, supporters and critics have clashed over who should be admitted to a medical college funded by the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The BJP unit in Jammu and Kashmir has moved quickly, meeting the Lieutenant Governor to formally object and to demand changes in the admission framework.
At the heart of the controversy is the belief among several Hindu groups that an institution associated with the Vaishno Devi shrine should reflect the shrine’s ethos and cater more to Hindu students. Protests organized by groups including Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal framed the issue as an “unfair imbalance” in admissions, with some calling for the college to seek minority status to enable religion-based reservations.
In response, BJP leaders submitted a memorandum urging immediate corrective steps. They argued that institutions built from devotion and offerings to the Vaishno Devi pilgrims must function in alignment with the shrine’s sacred ethos. The party also pressed for amendments to the Shrine Board Act and the University Act, saying these changes were essential to ensure admissions reflect the intended framework.
The institute, located in Katra within the Reasi district, has become a flashpoint in broader debates about reservations and the role of religious institutions in education. While supporters say the admission process should be transparent and merit-based, opponents fear that the current list may undermine inclusivity and secular principles. The discussions come amid a larger political push in the region where religious and cultural identities intersect with governance and policy.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders await official statements on possible reversals or reforms to the admissions policy. Legal and administrative channels are expected to weigh in, with observers noting that any rollback or policy tweak could have implications for both students and the governance framework surrounding shrine-funded institutions.
Cover image source: Row over 42 Muslims in batch of 50 at J&K's Vaishno Devi college; BJP demands changes 🔗
