Jammu and Kashmir Government to Support Medical Students Affected by Institute Closure

Support for Affected Medical Students

The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, announced on Thursday that the government will assist students impacted by the shutdown of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence. The plan involves accommodating these students in other medical institutions through the creation of supernumerary seats.

Supernumerary seats refer to additional placements beyond the standard intake approved by educational authorities.

Abdullah emphasized the need for accountability if the institute's standards were not upheld.

This announcement follows the National Medical Commission's recent decision to revoke the institute's approval to conduct its MBBS program for the academic year 2025-2026.

The regulatory body cited significant deficiencies in infrastructure, including inadequate faculty and clinical resources, as reasons for this withdrawal.

In December, protests erupted at the institute after the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations released its first admissions list for the MBBS program. Out of the 50 candidates selected, 44 were Muslim students from Kashmir, while six were Hindu students from Jammu.

Of the Hindu candidates, only three reportedly enrolled in the program.

The protests were organized by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, with participation from members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bajrang Dal, and Shiv Sena, among other Hindutva groups.

Protesters demanded the cancellation of the admissions list and insisted that Hindu students be prioritized, arguing that the institute was established through donations to the Vaishno Devi shrine.

However, regulations prohibit the consideration of religion in admissions, as the college is not classified as a minority institution.

On Thursday, Abdullah stated that he had consulted with the state health minister, asserting that the selected students had legitimately passed the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and deserved to be accommodated.

NEET is the qualifying examination for undergraduate medical and dental programs across India, administered by the National Testing Agency.

“It is our legal obligation to ensure their accommodation,” Abdullah was quoted as saying. “We will create supernumerary seats in colleges near their homes to prevent disruption to their education.”

He also urged the Union government to consider the negative impact on students' futures caused by the closure of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence.

“Currently, out of 50 seats, 40 were filled by Muslim students, leading to objections,” Abdullah remarked. “However, if the number of seats had gradually increased to 400-500, it is likely that 250-300 students from Jammu would have been enrolled in the future. Where will those students go now?”

Highlighting the challenges faced by aspiring medical students nationwide, Abdullah noted, “We are perhaps the only region that had a fully operational medical college and yet saw it shut down due to protests.”

In response to the National Medical Commission's claims regarding non-compliance with standards at the institute, Abdullah expressed disappointment, stating, “Who oversees this university and who is its chancellor? They should also be held accountable. Instead of solely questioning me, they should be questioned as well.”

He concluded by questioning the BJP's satisfaction with the institute's failure to meet standards, asking, “Who is responsible, and what actions will be taken?”