Breaking his silence on the MBBS seats controversy at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday asserted that the institute’s admission process is strictly merit-based and does not provide for any religion-based reservation.
“The Constitution of the country does not provide admissions on the basis of religion. To date, the word ‘secular’ exists in our Constitution, and if you don’t want to maintain the secular character of the country, then the ‘secular’ word should be deleted, and you can do what you want.”
Omar was replying to questions from reporters on the controversy of the Vaishnodevi Shrine-funded medical college having, in its first batch, given admission to 42 Muslim students against only seven Hindus and one Sikh. The issue has snowballed into a major controversy in the Jammu region amid the demand for reserving seats for Hindus, who were a minority in Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar said the admission notification issued by the Shrine Board makes it clear that the admission process is based on “merit-based parameters”, leaving no scope for religion-specific reservations. He added that all eligible candidates are assessed on uniform criteria, ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process.
”When the Assembly passed the bill for establishing the institute, there was no mention of not admitting students belonging to the Muslim community. If admissions have to be made based on religion, then you shall have to go to the Supreme Court, as it is binding to admit students on the basis of merit.
”If we start making admissions on the basis of religion, then will we have to implement the social welfare schemes also on the basis of religion and issue rations also after ascertaining the religion of the beneficiary? ” the CM said.
Omar said instead of fanning the controversy, the Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Sunil Sharma should read the Act pertaining to admissions in the medical college. “If you want Muslims out of the SMVDIME, then you should also stop providing treatment to Muslim patients in the Vaishnodevi hospital,” he said.
When the land was given for the University to the Vaishnodevi Shrine Board and the Act was passed in the Assembly, it was made clear that admissions would be on the basis of merit and not religion, he added.
The Chief Minister stated that misleading narratives were being created to trigger tensions and that the government would not allow misinformation to derail the functioning of key institutions. He urged the public to rely on official documents and avoid speculation.