BJP delegation briefs Nadda on Vaishno Devi college row

A high-level delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir BJP met Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda in New Delhi to convey growing concerns over admissions to MBBS seats at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Katra, run by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB).

The delegation included J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Lok Sabha MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Ali Khatana, and MLAs Dr Devinder Manyal, Sham Lal Sharma and RS Pathania.

“They conveyed to the Union Health Minister the deep resentment brewing among devotees and civil society groups over the composition of the first batch of 50 MBBS seats. They said that 42 out of the 50 seats have been allotted to non-Hindu candidates, a development that has triggered strong reactions among devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi and among those who have contributed financially to the shrine,” a statement said.

The delegation told the minister that several religious and social organisations had begun staging protests demanding transparency and corrective steps. They warned that a “large-scale agitation” could erupt if the issue was not resolved promptly.

“These party leaders said that while the BJP respects the merit-based and constitutional framework of medical admissions, it is equally important to acknowledge the sentiments of millions of devotees associated with the shrine,” the statement added. They urged Nadda to intervene and ensure a resolution that respects these sentiments.

They appealed for a review of the admission process, greater transparency and mechanisms that ensure devotees feel represented and reassured.

The Union Health Minister assured them that the matter would be examined with “due seriousness” and that all aspects of the issue would be reviewed in accordance with national medical education norms.

BOX —Only merit counts in NEET

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, responding to the controversy in Rajouri, said the shrine board knew from the outset that MBBS seats “cannot be allocated on the basis of religion”.

“Only merit is the criteria in the NEET examination and not religion,” he said. “Now those students who got admission on the basis of numbers will get punishment because their religion is different. This is neither allowed under law nor under our Constitution.”

He added, “If you want seats allocated on the basis of religion, then the SMVDU should stop taking grant-in-aid from the government.”