Protests erupt at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College after 42 of 50 MBBS seats go to Kashmir-based Muslim students
Protests have erupted in Jammu following the admission of 42 out of 50 MBBS students from Kashmir's Muslim community to the newly established Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME). The college, funded entirely by donations from Hindu pilgrims, has been accused of religious and regional imbalance in its inaugural batch for the 2025-26 academic year. Hindu organisations like the VHP and Bajrang Dal are demanding the immediate cancellation of the list and seeking a Hindu-specific reservation policy, similar to minority institutions. The controversy pits the merit-based NEET process against the strong religious and regional sentiments of the donor base. This development is crucial for future medical aspirants in Jammu and Kashmir.
