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The BJP expressed strong reservations after Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence’s first batch of students were from the Muslim community in Kashmir.
A BJP J&K delegation led by Sunil Sharma met LG Manoj Sinha to discuss the admissions process of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence.
The BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir leadership on Saturday met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, where they expressed strong reservations over the selection of non-Hindus for the MBBS programme at the Katra-based Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence.
This came after the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE) cleared a list of 50 candidates for the Vaishno Devi medical institute, of whom 42 were Muslim students from Kashmir and eight from Jammu. Out of these students, 36 have already taken admission, and three from Jammu followed suit.
Outfits affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) launched protests in the Jammu region, arguing that an institution that has been set up by donations offered to the Vaishno Devi shrine should not be dominated by the Muslim community. They demanded that the institute scrap the list and ensure reservation for Hindus.
ALSO READ: Muslim Students’ Admission In Jammu’s Vaishno Devi Medical College Sparks Row; RSS Outfits Protest
BJP Says Widespread Anger Among Hindus
A delegation led by the Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, called on LG Sinha to convey concerns regarding the recent MBBS admissions. Sharma has expressed strong reservations over the selection process, stating that the admissions have triggered widespread anger among devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi and sections of the larger Hindu community.
He also conveyed to the LG that the issue involves not only academic considerations but also cultural sensitivities and faith-related expectations associated with institutions linked to Mata Vaishno Devi, according to an official statement. He urged a review of the admission criteria and enhanced transparency based on the sentiments of the Hindu community.
BJP Requests LG’s Intervention
BJP MLA from Udhampur, RS Pathania, who lent support to the protests, was also part of the delegation that appealed to the LG to intervene and take necessary measures to address grievances raised by the devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi.
“Our senior MLA delegation met LG Sinha and discussed the Mata Vaishno Devi medical institution, where community-specific students have gained admission. Those who donate to this trust seek the development of Sanatan Dharma. We urged the LG that admission should be ensured only for those who believe in Sanatan Dharma and Mata Vaishno Devi,” he told news agency ANI.
Sharma said that the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and its institutions were not merely educational establishments, but also represent the region’s cultural and spiritual identity that can have broader social and emotional repercussions if the sentiments of Hindus are ignored.
Pathania earlier said the medical college did not take a single penny from the government and runs on donations made by the Vaishno Devi pilgrims. Hence, seats should be reserved for Hindu students as the issue involves the faith of pilgrims, he contended.
Meanwhile, he National Conference’s Jammu province president, Rattan Lal Gupta, put the blame on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, saying it should have applied for a minority status. As it did not do so, JKBOPEE had to select students based on the merit obtained by them in NEET, with most students happening to be from the Muslim community.
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
Jammu, India, India
November 22, 2025, 10:50 PM IST
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