National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday strongly criticised the closure of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, calling the move “wrong” and an “injustice” to students.
Speaking to reporters, the former chief minister said he was deeply saddened by the decision and expressed concern over what he described as the direction the country was taking. “This is wrong. This is definitely injustice,” Abdullah said, reacting to the development.
The National Conference leader was responding to the decision of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) under the National Medical Commission, which withdrew the letter of recognition earlier granted to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence.
According to the MARB, the recognition was withdrawn due to the institute’s failure to meet minimum required standards. However, the board clarified that students admitted to the college during the 2025–26 counselling process will not be left in limbo. It said these students will be accommodated as supernumerary seats in other medical institutions across Jammu and Kashmir by the competent authority of the Union Territory administration.
The decision followed protests by the Sangharsh Samiti, a recently formed group of right-wing organisations reportedly backed by the BJP. The group had demanded cancellation of admissions to the medical college and called for reservation of seats exclusively for students who profess faith in Mata Vaishno Devi.
Abdullah’s remarks add a political edge to the controversy, as concerns continue to grow over the impact of the closure on medical education and students’ futures in the region.
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