Omar Abdullah Warns Against Religious Discrimination in Medical College Admissions

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has issued a stark warning that denying admission to meritorious Muslim students in educational institutions based on religious grounds could potentially push them towards radicalization. His comments come amid a growing controversy surrounding admissions to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, which recently welcomed its inaugural batch of students.

Addressing reporters in Nagrota, Chief Minister Abdullah responded to objections raised by the Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, stating, "If you were establishing a medical college with religious restrictions in mind, you should have designated it as a minority institute from the beginning. Why wasn't this status applied for? Admissions are determined solely by NEET entrance exam performance, not religious affiliation. If you wish to exclude Muslim students, then formally declare it a minority institution."

The controversy erupted after a delegation of BJP MLAs, led by Opposition Leader Sunil Sharma, met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday. They demanded the cancellation of the current admission list and called for seats to be reserved exclusively for students who have faith in Mata Vaishno Devi.

Abdullah expressed concern about the broader implications of such discrimination: "These students gained admission based on merit. When you reject qualified Muslim students and then later point fingers at the Muslim community for becoming sectarian or intolerant, remember your own actions. When you refuse to accept their children in educational institutions, don't blame the entire community for what may follow."

The medical institute was allocated 50 MBBS seats for its first year. However, the admission of 42 students from a particular community has ignited controversy, with right-wing Hindu groups questioning the admissions process and demanding the institute be granted "minority institution" status.

The Chief Minister highlighted the contradiction in attitudes: "When Muslim students attend universities in places like Faridabad, people question why they go to institutions where they might become radicalized. Yet when these same students seek education at Mata Vaishno Devi's medical college, focusing solely on becoming doctors regardless of the institution's name, you deny them based on religion. If they subsequently attend institutions where they become radicalized, will Mr. Sharma acknowledge his role in this outcome?"

Abdullah confirmed that the 42 Muslim students and reportedly one Sikh student were admitted to the institute purely on merit. He urged, "Don't discriminate against Muslim children in this manner. If you're determined to prevent Muslim students from studying at this medical college, officially change its status to a minority institution, and our students will seek education elsewhere—be it Bangladesh, Turkey, or other countries."

He concluded by emphasizing that when the legislation establishing the institute was passed in the J&K Assembly, the intention was never to create a minority institution but rather to establish a center of excellence based entirely on merit.