‘Communalisation of education’: J&K leaders react sharply to Vaishno Devi medical college row

NC state spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, meanwhile, said, that this is perhaps the first instance in independent India where a communally divisive party is celebrating the de-recognition of a medical college

• NMC revoked MBBS course permission at SMVDIME over compliance lapses
• J&K students to get supernumerary seats in other medical institutions.
• Political leaders allege the move communalises education and harms local jobs

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The National Medical Commission’s decision to revoke permission for the MBBS programme at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) has sparked sharp political responses, as leaders in Jammu and Kashmir alleged that the move amounted to the “communalisation” of education.

Citing serious lapses in compliance with minimum standards, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board of the National Medical Commission on Tuesday withdrew permission for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, Kakryal, Reasi, to run its 50-seat MBBS course for the 2025–26 academic year.

The MARB further said that all students admitted for the academic session will be accommodated in other medical institutions in Jammu and Kashmir as supernumerary seats by the competent UT authority.

The move followed protests and an agitation by the Bharatiya Janata Party and multiple right-wing groups opposing the admission of Muslim students, with political leaders warning that the decision could have “severe consequences”.

Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti told The Indian Express that the decision starkly exposes the “damaging consequences of the communalisation of education”.

“Instead of treating the disease, the patient is being punished for no fault,” she said.

She further expressed concerns highlighting the fact that if such a thing could be done to a prestigious institution as SMVD, it could be replicated elsewhere as well, putting the future of hardworking youth at grave risk.

PDP spokesperson Aditya Gupta claimed that BJP and National Conference are responsible for the closure of the College.

“The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College was closed due to the collusion of both BJP and National Conference. It is a big setback to Jammu and reflects betrayal by BJP with the people of the region,” he said.

National Conference, media incharge (Pir Panjal), Vivek Sharma said the closure of the Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College is a grave setback for Jammu.

“What unfolded was a wrongly motivated agitation, driven by divisive politics, where certain elements sought to target and remove Muslim students under a false narrative. The tragic irony is that this reckless politics has hurt Hindu students as well,” he said in a social media post.

He said the students may still study in other institutions, but the irreparable loss is local.

“Hundreds of teaching and non teaching jobs linked to this medical college stand effectively quashed, which is a direct blow to families, livelihoods, and the regional economy of Jammu,” he said.

“We have seen politics being done over mandir and masjid, but it is unfortunate that today we talk about admissions in prestigious institutions on the basis of religion or region. What is this direction that we’re giving to our society? They [the leadership in the country] want to take us back a thousand years, while advanced societies think about 1,000 years of the future,” National Conference leader and minister Javed Rana was quoted by The Indian Express.

NC state spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, meanwhile, said, that this is perhaps the first instance in independent India where a communally divisive party is celebrating the de-recognition of a medical college. “This is a dystopia in practice and a tragic moment for the people of Jammu,” he said.

“Despite having complete control at the Centre and in the Union Territory, the BJP failed to ensure even basic compliance with mandatory medical council norms. The sudden emergence of such discrepancies raises serious questions and exposes this move as a smokescreen to hide the BJP’s divisive agenda,” he added.

Jammu and Kashmir deputy CM Surinder Singh Choudhary criticised the BJP, saying the move has "destroyed Jammu" and jeopardised the future of the region’s youth. "If the BJP is celebrating victory, then this is the destruction of Jammu. People are suffering and yearning for a medical college," he said.

The BJP, however, welcomed the decision.

“We welcome the decision of the National Medical Commission's Medical Assessment and Rating Board, Union Health Minister J P Nadda and Lt Governor Manoj Sinha for withdrawing the permission but at the same time securing the future of the students,” J-K BJP president Sat Sharma told reporters.

“I want to give the credit for this success to Mata Vaishno Devi because this was a matter of faith. Had this been the case with any other medical college, we would not have politicised the issue. NMC acted on the complaints and Nadda ensured that the future of the admitted students is secured which is worth praise,” Sharma said.