A significant protest erupted in Jammu on Saturday, with a large crowd gathering outside Lok Bhavan. The demonstrators demanded the immediate cancellation of the recently released MBBS admission list for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) located in Reasi district.
Protesters Demand Reservation for Hindu Students
The demonstration was primarily led by activists from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti. Their core grievance stems from the composition of the admitted batch, where 42 out of the total 50 MBBS seats have been allotted to Muslim candidates. An estimated 250 to 300 protesters waved flags and held banners, chanting slogans against Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. LG Sinha holds the position of chairperson for both the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and SMVDIME.
The protesters attempted to enter Lok Bhavan but were stopped by a strong police contingent. Later, the gathering gained support from women members of the Jammu and Kashmir BJP unit and several trade leaders, including Arun Gupta, the president of the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
"Not Against Any Religion," Says Samiti Convener
Speaking to the media, Colonel Sukhvir Singh Mankotia, the convener of the Sangharsh Samiti, stated that the protest would continue until their demands were met. He framed the issue as one related to faith. "We are not against students of any particular religion. We just want the seats in the medical college to be reserved for Hindu students alone," Mankotia said. He proposed that the selected Muslim candidates be transferred to other medical colleges.
The controversy began last month when the inaugural batch of 50 MBBS students was selected purely through the NEET merit list. The results showed that 42 Muslim candidates, predominantly from the Kashmir region, secured admission. In contrast, only seven Hindu students from Jammu and one Sikh candidate made it to the final list.
Political Reactions and Broader Demands
The issue has drawn reactions from various political quarters. Shiv Sena (UBT) has called for a resolution through the joint efforts of the Central government and the Omar Abdullah-led administration. Manish Sahni, the chief of the party's J&K unit, indirectly criticized the BJP. He suggested that those "fanning the flames of agitation from behind the scenes" were responsible for the dispute.
Sahni also pointed out that even after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in 2019, no steps were taken to amend the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Act to prioritize Hindu students. Further escalating the demands, he called for Hindus to be granted minority status in Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest highlights ongoing tensions over resource allocation and representation in education within the region, setting the stage for a potentially prolonged dispute.
