Controversy Over MBBS Admissions at Vaishno Devi Medical College: Omar Abdullah Urges Reallocation of Students

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday called for the reallocation of 46 Muslim students admitted to the inaugural MBBS batch at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College, suggesting the new institution be closed to end the controversy.

The admissions sparked protests from locals and Hindu organisations, who argued that the medical college — largely funded and run through donations from Hindu devotees of the Vaishno Devi shrine — should reserve seats for Hindu candidates.

Omar accused the BJP government of playing communal politics across education, sports, and even food habits. Speaking to the media after reviewing public works projects, he said, “The children passed exams and secured seats on their hard work. None did any favour to them. If you don’t want them there, then adjust them somewhere else.”

He added, “In the given scenario, I don’t feel that students themselves would like to study there. We request the Government of India and the health ministry to adjust these children in other colleges. Had I been a parent, I wouldn’t have sent them. We wouldn’t want them to study where there’s so much politics.”

Omar also suggested closing the Vaishno Devi Medical College, urging authorities to place students in other good government medical colleges.

On BJP’s Jammu State Demand

Responding to BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma’s call to make Jammu a separate state, Omar said sarcastically that nothing stopped the party from pursuing it. “They have already ruined Ladakh by separating it from J&K. Now, if they want to make Jammu separate on the basis of religion, who is stopping them?” he said, criticising the party for injecting religion into governance.

Reservation Policy and Other Issues

Omar said delays over the reservation policy were a matter for Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. “We did our job. A cabinet subcommittee prepared a report, and the cabinet vetted it before sending it to Lok Bhawan. Now, the LG has to give his approval,” he explained.

On the controversy over Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, released by KKR following concerns over treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh, Omar defended the player and stressed India’s historically good ties with Bangladesh.

Protests and Public Outcry

The Youth Wing of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti held a protest near the civil secretariat, alleging the government’s policies and BOPEE’s selection process were discriminatory and flawed.

Convener Colonel (retd) Sukhvir Singh Mankotia demanded immediate intervention to restore transparency and fairness in admissions. Bajrang Dal activists also staged a protest at the bus stand, burning an effigy of the shrine board.

Authorities sealed the civil secretariat to prevent any further unrest, as tensions over the MBBS admission row continue to simmer.