Suhail Khan
Jammu, Jan 08 : Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo has launched a sharp critique against the revocation of recognition for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), calling the act “an act of misfortune” driven by political games and the exploitation of religion.
Speaking Exclusively with Kashmir Convener, Minister Itoo expressed deep concern over the fallout for the affected students and the broader implications for medical education in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our medical colleges are hard to come by. Our children qualify through NEET and secure their seats on merit,” Itoo said. “To terminate something that was granted is profoundly unfortunate. This institution should have been strengthened to produce more doctors for our people. Instead, for the sake of political games, it is being targeted by exploiting religious sentiments. This is blatantly obvious and deeply regrettable.”
Her remarks follow the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) decision to derecognize SMVDIME, citing serious lapses in meeting minimum standards. The order mandates the transfer of all existing MBBS students to other recognised colleges within the Union Territory.
The college has been at the centre of a fierce political controversy since its inaugural batch for 2025-26 revealed that 42 of its 50 students were Muslims, with one Sikh and only eight Hindu students from Jammu. This demographic composition triggered intense protests from several Hindu right-wing groups in the Jammu region.
Addressing the specific plight of the displaced students, Minister Itoo told Kashmir Convener, “These children are deeply depressed. They have been targeted and made scapegoats, despite earning their admission through NEET merit, not by any special favour. They qualified and were admitted fairly.”
She said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed the department to ensure the affected students are admitted to the nearest possible medical colleges within Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest. “The department is already working on this. I have also directed the Secretary to prepare a proposal to relieve these students from the mental torture they have endured for months and allow them to continue their MBBS studies smoothly,” she said.
Questioning the NMC’s timing, Itoo said, “If the MCI (Medical Council of India, predecessor to NMC) conducted an inspection earlier and granted recognition, why were shortcomings not rectified then? Why are they being noticed now only after certain parties criticized why Muslim students were given admission? To cancel the college on this basis is extremely unfortunate.”
Minister Itoo said, “A doctor’s oath is taken in the name of humanity, not religion. Doctors treat patients as human beings, not as Hindus or Muslims.” She said, I pray that those behind torturing these future doctors may one day need treatment from them. They will then realize that a doctor is not defined by religion. Religion should never be used in education, nor should politics be played with education. The National Conference has never allowed, nor will it ever allow, politics in the name of religion.”
Notably, The derecognition has been welcomed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which termed it a victory for “quality over quantity.”
Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had voiced concerns over student safety due to the intense politicisation of the campus and had urged the Centre to shut down the institution and relocate the students.
The agitation was spearheaded by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, an umbrella body of over 60 social and right-wing organisations. After failing to legally challenge the merit-based admissions, the group shifted its focus to shutting down the college entirely.
The BJP had also submitted a memorandum to Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha—who chairs the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board that administers the college—seeking to rescind the admissions. While the college adhered to NMC guidelines, admitting students based on the centralised NEET merit list with 85% reservation for domiciles, protesting groups have argued that a college associated with a Hindu shrine should primarily admit Hindu students.
Comments are closed.