Jammu, November 27, 2025 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday warned that rising religious discrimination in the education sector threatens the foundational values of the Indian Constitution. Speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of Jamia Zia-ul-Uloom in Poonch, he urged that Constitution Day must inspire a year-round commitment—not a symbolic ritual—towards upholding equality, justice, and secularism.
“The Constitution Must Live Every Day”
Addressing the gathering, Abdullah said Constitution Day should remind citizens that the guiding principles of the Preamble—equality of all religions, democratic freedoms, and equal protection under law—must remain alive in everyday governance and civic life.
“Constitution Day does not mean remembering the Constitution for an hour. It means keeping it alive every day of the year,” he asserted.
Condemns Push for Religious Filters in Education
Expressing deep concern over attempts to communalise educational spaces, Abdullah criticised demands from certain groups that Muslims and non-Hindus be barred from studying at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME).
“If we set aside merit and start selecting students based on religion, where will the Constitution go?” he asked.
The controversy erupted after right-wing groups objected to 42 Muslim students featuring in the first list of 50 MBBS admissions, prompting the BJP to demand cancellation of the list and reserving seats for those “having faith in the deity.”
“Visit These Institutions Before Spreading Poison”
Referring to the patriotic performances by students of Jamia Zia-ul-Uloom, Abdullah said the programme itself disproved the propaganda that religious schools teach hatred and sectarianism.
“I wish those who spread venom against such institutions had a chance to sit here and watch. They claim nothing is taught here except hatred—but look at these children,” he said.
He emphasised that religious education is imparted, but alongside it students learn national values, harmony, and academic subjects, debunking stereotypes against madrasa-style institutions.
“They Spread Lies, Not Loyalty to the Nation”
Abdullah said those who vilify religious schools are feeding division and harming national unity.
“I wish they would spend a day here. They might understand that the propaganda and poison being spread by peddling lies is not loyalty to the country,” he said.
Praises Jamia for Social Harmony and Public Service
He highlighted the institute’s longstanding contribution to communal harmony, disaster relief, and support during sensitive situations.
“When crises arose—whether natural calamities or tense circumstances—Maulana Ghulam Qadir and this institute were among the first to stand with the government,” Abdullah noted, praising the founder, teachers and students for upholding brotherhood and peace.
