Protests have intensified in Jammu, with demonstrators demanding the immediate shutdown of a prominent medical college run by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The agitation stems from objections to the admission of Muslim students from Kashmir into the institution.
Core of the Controversy: Use of Devotee Offerings
The protest, led by the youth wing of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, saw participants chanting the Hanuman Chalisa during a dharna near the civil secretariat in Jammu on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. At the heart of the dispute is the funding source for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME).
Protesters argue that the college is financed by donations from Hindu pilgrims visiting the revered Vaishno Devi shrine. They demand that these offerings should be used exclusively for the development of Hindu shrines and the upliftment of the Hindu community. The demonstrators have expressed strong opposition to using these funds for commercial establishments like medical colleges and hospitals.
Specific Demands and Escalation Plans
The Sangarsh Samiti, a coalition of nearly 60 pro-Sangh Parivar organizations including the Sanatan Dharm Sabha, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Bajrang Dal, has put forth clear demands. They initially sought a reservation of all seats in the SMVDIME for Hindu students. Their specific request was for the relocation of Kashmiri Muslim students, who secured admission based on NEET merit, to other medical colleges.
Failing that, they now demand the college's closure. The protestors cite that nearly 90% of the current batch at SMVDIME hails from the Kashmir Valley, a demographic they find unacceptable for an institute funded by a Hindu shrine board. They insist the institute should reflect greater Hindu representation and even be designated as a "minority institution" for the community.
Colonel Sukhvir Mankotia (retd), the convenor of the Sangarsh Samiti, has warned of escalating the agitation. He announced that their women's wing will hold a protest on Thursday, followed by action from their ex-servicemen's wing. If the government does not concede, the Samiti plans to organize a "chakka jam" (road blockade) at all district headquarters across Jammu, culminating in a call for a Jammu bandh (shutdown).
Broader Implications and Community Sentiment
This protest highlights a growing debate over the utilization of funds from religious shrines for secular, public-purpose institutions like medical colleges. The demonstrators' stance challenges the model where shrine board revenues are used for broad socio-economic development projects, including education and healthcare facilities that serve the general public irrespective of religion.
The situation remains tense in Jammu as authorities monitor the developments. The demands of the protesters present a significant challenge for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the local administration, balancing community sentiments with the principles of merit-based education and inclusive development.
