Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday strongly criticised the National Medical Commission’s decision to withdraw approval for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Reasi to conduct its MBBS course. Calling the decision alarming, she warned that it could have wider consequences for Kashmiri students pursuing education across the country.
Addressing a press conference at the PDP headquarters, Mehbooba said the NMC order could embolden what she described as “communal forces” and create an atmosphere where Kashmiri Muslim students may face exclusion or discrimination in educational institutions beyond the Union Territory. She stressed that the decision should not be viewed in isolation, but as one with broader social and educational implications.
Mehbooba Mufti also questioned the role of the Jammu and Kashmir government in the matter. She pointed out that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had publicly stated, just hours before the NMC announcement, that the medical college should be shut down. Raising concerns over the timing, she asked whether there had been any prior discussion or understanding between the state administration and the central regulatory body.
“The chief minister should have stood up against the decision to close the medical college,” Mehbooba said, adding that the elected government had a responsibility to protect educational opportunities for students in the region. She argued that instead of supporting the institution, the government’s remarks may have weakened its case at a critical moment.
The withdrawal of permission for SMVDIME to run the MBBS programme has triggered political reactions and concerns among students and parents. Medical education remains a sensitive issue in Jammu and Kashmir, where limited seats and infrastructure already pose challenges for aspiring doctors. Any reduction in available institutions is likely to intensify competition and push more students to seek education outside the region.
Political observers note that the controversy highlights ongoing tensions between regional leadership and central regulatory authorities. The issue has also brought renewed focus on governance, accountability, and the protection of minority students’ rights in higher education.
Mehbooba urged the administration to take corrective steps and engage with the National Medical Commission to reconsider the decision. She emphasized that safeguarding educational institutions and student interests should be a priority, irrespective of political differences.
In conclusion, the medical college row has sparked a broader debate on governance, educational access, and student welfare in Jammu and Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti’s remarks reflect growing political concern over the potential impact of regulatory decisions on Kashmiri students and the role of the elected government in addressing such challenges.
