Short Description
Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti criticizes the NMC’s decision to withdraw MBBS course approval at SMVDIME, warning it threatens educational access for Kashmiri students.
Read Time
4 minutes 30 seconds
Main Article
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has recently expressed grave concerns regarding the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) decision to rescind the approval for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) to offer an MBBS course. This withdrawal not only has immediate implications for students in Reasi but also raises broader questions about the future of educational opportunities for Kashmiri Muslim students across India. Mufti described the NMC’s decision as having “far-reaching consequences,” emphasizing that this could embolden communal forces to further marginalize Kashmiri students in educational institutions nationwide.
The NMC’s order, which cited significant deficiencies in faculty, clinical material, and infrastructure, has sparked backlash among various political entities. Earlier, CM Omar Abdullah publicly advocated for closing the college. Mufti posited that there was possibly an understanding between the NMC and Abdullah, stating, “The chief minister should have stood up against the decision to close the college.” She emphasized the unfortunate reality that Kashmiri Muslim students struggle to find educational space even within their own state, raising a critical question: If they are sidelined in J&K, what can be expected in other regions of India?
Political parties have also scrutinized the NMC’s decision. Many noted the discrepancies in granting permission just four months earlier, suggesting that the infrastructure issues should have been flagged sooner. Abdullah criticized the culture surrounding the closure, indicating that people fought for medical colleges nationwide while some in Jammu seemed to celebrate the shuttering of one solely on religious lines. Queries directed at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, overseen by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, suggest further accountability regarding the allocation of seats among different communities.
The controversy gained momentum after a significant number of seats were allotted to Muslim students from Kashmir, igniting protests led by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti. This body, representing a coalition of about 60 religious and civil groups, argued that a college funded by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board should prioritize Hindu students in its admission policy. With the BJP endorsing the protests, there are concerns about the implications of basing admission policies on religious grounds and the potential marginalization of countless aspiring students.
Short Summary
Mehbooba Mufti’s criticism of the NMC’s decision reveals significant concerns about the future of Kashmiri Muslim students in education. This controversy highlights the complexities of community representation and the potential for increased discrimination against marginalized groups in India.
