J&K CM to find room for 50 MBBS students left high and dry by Vaishno Devi college

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for accountability from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence’s office bearers, including the Chancellor, over failing to meet National Medical Commission (NCM) standards. In contrast, the BJP Leader of Opposition commended the NCM for “respecting religious sentiments”.

“I am posed with all kinds of questions. But varsity office bearers need to detail how things came to such a pass and the college failed to meet NCM criteria,” Mr. Abdullah said.  

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is the Chancellor of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, which governs the medical college.

Letter of Permission

The NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) recently withdrew the Letter of Permission (LoP) that allows the varsity to run the MBBS course for “non-compliance with minimum standards during a surprise inspection”. The decision appears to be a reaction to protests, which began on November 22, by the BJP and other Hindu groups, after 42 Muslim students won admission on merit to the 50-seat medical college.

After the development, the J&K Chief Minister ordered that the administration admit the MBBS students “who suffered due to the NCM’s decision”. “These children cleared NEET on merit and it is our legal responsibility to adjust them. We will have supernumerary seats so their education is not affected. It is not difficult for us to adjust all 50 students, and we will do it,” Mr. Abdullah said.

The Mata Vaishno Devi varsity, was formed by the J&K Assembly in 1999, and received grants from the government and was allocated 80 kanals of State land in Katra, Jammu. “We have given aid to the university and we will not take it back,” Mr. Abdullah said.

Religious grounds

J&K Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo of the NC said the college closure was “on religious grounds,” calling it “highly unfortunate” and advocated institution-building instead.

BJP leader and LoP Sharma said the NCM inspection formed the basis of adverse findings on the medical college. 

“I am grateful to the Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, NMC, and the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for respecting the sentiments of those following Sanatan Dharma, since the college is run by donations from a particular community,” Mr. Sharma said.

He accused Mr. Abdullah of giving it “a Hindu-Muslim” spin. 

“It was not a question of Hindus and Muslims. People following Sanatan Dharma wanted their donations to be used only for the propagation of the religion. We wanted a Vedic Research Centre or Gurukul to be established there. I believe that the NMC decision has come as a setback to the Chief Minister, who wanted to exploit the situation,” Mr. Sharma said.