Sajid Raina
Jammu, Nov 25: Amid the controversy over admissions to the first MBBS batch at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Medical College, Jammu and Kashmir unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and newly elected Rajya Sabha member, Sat Sharma Tuesday said those supporting the Shrine Board should get seats, while the Health and Education Minister Sakeena Itoo said that Muslim students face no restrictions and doctors treat all patients regardless of religion.
Sharma said the BJP believes that those who contribute to Hinduism through donations to the Shrine Board should be considered for admissions.
“The institute is being run on the donations and contribution of the Shrine Board. Therefore, those having faith in the religion should get admission there,” Sharma said.
Sharma added that mistakes may have occurred in the admissions process but discussions with officials are ongoing. “Through Sunil ji, I also spoke to LG sir. This issue has come to his attention and I believe that soon a decision will be made so that the problems that our common people, our common society is facing, we can get rid of,” he said.
On the religious aspect of the college, Sharma said, “The people who have faith in their mind, because that institution is a symbol of faith, the people who come there for the darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi, majority are those people from Hindu religion who have faith in Mata Vaishno Devi. Similarly, people should get admission in this.”
The controversy erupted after the first MBBS batch admissions allocated 42 of 50 seats to Muslim students purely based on merit.
Hindu groups have demanded minority status for the Shrine Board-run college, arguing that most donations come from Hindu pilgrims and should be reflected in seat allocation.
The administration has not yet announced any formal response regarding the demand for minority status or any revision of admission procedures.
Meanwhile, Kashmir-based politicians strongly opposed the move, saying that admissions should not be based on religion.
Minister Sakeena Itoo said, “Politics should not be done on children or religion. Students admitted to the medical university have been selected based on merit. Muslim students study there and there is no restriction. Doctors treat patients without considering religion.”
Itoo also spoke on her departments, citing work done in health, education, and social welfare. “Hospitals were opened during Covid without proper equipment or sanctions. Doctors and teachers have been made accountable. Promotions and DPCs have been completed. We appointed 509 doctors who have been sent to hard-to-reach areas,” she said.
