NMC Revokes Approval for Vaishno Devi Medical College Amid Fierce Protests in Jammu
Srinagar: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn its permission for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence to operate an MBBS programme, following intense protests in Jammu over the admission of a majority of Muslim students from Kashmir.
On Tuesday evening, the NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) revoked the letter of permission that had allowed the college to admit 50 students for the current academic year. The decision cited serious shortcomings identified during a recent surprise inspection, including inadequate faculty numbers, insufficient clinical material, and substandard infrastructure.
The college, launched with considerable enthusiasm last year, became a flashpoint after the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) results showed 42 Muslim students from Kashmir securing seats, alongside seven Hindus and one Sikh. This outcome sparked outrage among right-wing groups and others in Jammu, who formed the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, supported by the BJP. Protesters argued that the institution, funded partly by donations from Hindu devotees, should not have such a significant Muslim enrolment.
Celebrations erupted in Jammu on Wednesday, with hundreds taking to the streets, beating drums in jubilation over what they viewed as a triumph for their cause. The samiti announced the end of its 45-day agitation but vowed to monitor the shrine board’s activities to ensure they align with Hindu interests.
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Many in Kashmir view the NMC’s deficiencies claim sceptically, given the high-level lobbying by protesters. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had previously described the college as built on state land with public funds and urged Muslim parents not to enrol their children amid the hostile atmosphere.
The NMC order provides for the relocation of admitted students to other government medical colleges in the Union Territory. BJP leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma, had advocated converting the institute into a gurukul for Vedic studies. Party spokesperson Sunil Sethi expressed hope that any future revival would respect Hindu community sentiments.
National Conference leader Vivek Sharma noted potential job losses for mostly Hindu staff. The samiti’s convener, Col (retd) Sukhvir Singh Mankotia, and BJP state president Sat Sharma attributed the outcome to faith-based concerns.
The development leaves open the possibility of reopening the college later, though the controversy has deepened regional divisions.