JAMMU, November 25, 2025 : In a sharp counter to the controversy surrounding admissions at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday asked BJP leader Sunil Sharma to formally seek minority-institute status for the medical college if the objective is to exclude non-Hindu students.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a public event, Abdullah said BJP leaders opposing the admission of Muslim students must remember their own rhetoric before accusing the community of being communal or intolerant.
“Admissions Are Based on NEET, Not Religion”
Reacting to Sharma’s remarks that the first batch of admissions should be revoked in favour of students with “faith in the deity,” Abdullah said:
“Faith is fine, but when you established the college, you should have declared it a minority institution. Admissions happen through NEET—not religion.”
He added that if the BJP wants to bar Muslim students:
“Declare it a minority institute and the Muslim students—and one Sikh student—who got admission on merit can be adjusted elsewhere. But remember this when you blame Muslims for being communal or sectarian.”
On Linking Kashmiri Students to Radicalisation
Referring to the ongoing probe into the Faridabad-based Al-Falah University linked to the Delhi blast and the Nowgam police station explosion, Abdullah said critics had questioned why Kashmiri students attended such institutions.
“When children willingly take admission in Mata Vaishno Devi college—despite its religious name and funding—you want to deny them seats on the basis of religion. If tomorrow they go elsewhere and get radicalised, will Sunil Sharma take responsibility?”
He urged BJP leaders not to push Kashmiri Muslim students towards such isolation.
“If You Don’t Want Muslim Students, Change The Status”
Abdullah said BJP should take a clear position instead of sowing communal discord.
“If you do not want Muslim students to study there, please change the status of the institute. Our children will study elsewhere—in Bangladesh or Turkey if needed.”
Background of the Row
The SMVDIME was allotted 50 MBBS seats this year. Admission of 42 Muslim students in the maiden batch sparked backlash from right-wing groups demanding minority-institute status.
Officials clarified that no religion-based reservation is applicable as the college has no minority status, and admissions were purely merit-based.
BJP Responds
Reacting to the Chief Minister’s criticism, BJP’s Sunil Sharma said he never opposed merit but insisted “faith cannot be ignored” at an institution funded by devotees.
He said Vaishno Devi holds a sacred place for millions and claimed differing lifestyles could lead to “law and order problems.”
Sharma also launched a personal attack on Abdullah:
“Talking about merit does not suit the Chief Minister. He should explain how he became CM by sidelining senior leaders. His merit is only that he is from the Abdullah family.”
