Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party for opposing the admission of Muslim students to Katra's Vaishno Devi Medical College, challenging the party to declare the institution as minority-specific if they object to current enrollment practices.
Political Leaders Unite Against Religious Bias
The controversy erupted after the newly established medical college filled its seats strictly based on NEET merit lists, reserving 85% of its 50 seats for J&K domiciles. The first MBBS batch saw only eight Hindu students from Jammu making the cut, triggering protests from right-wing groups.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary joined Omar Abdullah in condemning the BJP's position, with both senior National Conference leaders framing the opposition as a direct challenge to India's secular principles and constitutional values.
Merit-Based Admissions Under Fire
"If you don't want Muslim students to study in the medical college, then declare it a minority institution," Omar Abdullah stated emphatically. "There is one Sikh candidate and several Muslim candidates - let them know it so they can withdraw and seek admission elsewhere."
The Chief Minister warned that such religious discrimination could drive local students abroad for education. "If this continues, our children will go elsewhere. They will go to Bangladesh or Turkey to study," he added.
The protests began after admissions were completed, with Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal leading initial demonstrations, arguing that an institution funded by the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board should prioritize Hindu students. The BJP later joined the protest movement.
Constitutional Principles at Stake
On Saturday, BJP's leader of opposition Sunil Sharma formally protested to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who serves as ex-officio chairman of the shrine board, submitting a memorandum demanding review of admission norms.
J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha member Sat Sharma reinforced this position, stating that only those with faith in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi should gain admission to the medical college, which operates under Mata Vaishno Devi University.
Omar Abdullah countered these arguments by referencing the legislative history. "When the J&K assembly passed the bill for the university, it was clearly stated that admissions will be based on merit. If you want admissions without merit, then seek permission from Supreme Court," the Chief Minister asserted.
He emphasized that India's Constitution doesn't permit religion-based admissions and urged BJP leaders to read the founding legislation of Mata Vaishno Devi University, which contains no provisions for religious preferences in admissions.
Broader Implications of Religious Discrimination
The Chief Minister drew parallels with Vaishno Devi Hospital, which has served patients in Katra for years without religious discrimination. "If that logic is applied, then Muslims or non-Hindus should be denied treatment at the hospital? Where will it end?" Omar questioned.
He posed a series of rhetorical questions highlighting the absurdity of religious discrimination in public services: "Should we ask people their faith before giving them ration? Should the police decide their duty based on religion?"
Omar Abdullah firmly reminded that the word 'secularism' remains in the Constitution. "If you don't want secularism in this country, remove it from the Constitution. Then you can do what you want, and we will do what we must," he declared.
Deputy CM Choudhary reinforced this position, asserting that admissions cannot be tied to religious faith. "These medical college students have qualified NEET. We must maintain brotherhood and it shouldn't be made an issue," Choudhary stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining social harmony in the region.
