Amid admission row, minority tag sought for Vaishno Devi medical college

A growing demand has emerged for granting minority institution status to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence following allegations of disparity in the allocation of seats in its first batch of admissions.

The controversy erupted after reports surfaced that a majority of the 50 MBBS seats at the newly established medical college were allotted to non-Hindu students. Several organisations have questioned the admission process, arguing that since the institution was established by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) — funded through offerings made by Hindu devotees — it should be recognised as a minority institution.

Hindus are a minority community in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Former Jammu Mayor Rajinder Sharma said there is a provision that only Hindus can serve as members of the Shrine Board. “The offerings made at the shrine are meant to serve the Hindu community. Therefore, priority in any institution linked to the shrine should be given to those who share the same faith,” Sharma said.

He further questioned, “When the Shrine Board runs entirely on offerings from Hindu devotees, why can’t its medical college be given minority status and reserve seats for Hindus?”

Sharma demanded that 50 per cent of seats at the college be reserved for Hindu students.

Echoing similar sentiments, Rajesh Kesari, president of Shiv Sena Hindustan (J&K), voiced concern over what he termed “disparity in admission policies.”

“The Shrine Board should reserve 80 per cent of the seats for Hindus,” Kesari said while addressing the media, urging the board to ensure fair representation of the community.

The demand for minority status has also gained momentum on social media, where many users have called for corrective measures to ensure “community rights” in the institution’s admissions.

Earlier, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) questioned the college’s admission process, claiming that most students admitted in the inaugural batch were non-Hindus.