Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo has strongly criticised the decision to withdraw recognition of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), calling it an act of misfortune driven by political interests and the misuse of religion.
Speaking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), the minister said the decision has deeply affected students who earned their admissions purely on merit and warned against dragging religion into education and healthcare.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
“Our Children Earn Seats on Merit”
Minister Itoo said medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir are limited, and students work extremely hard to qualify through the NEET examination.
“Our children qualify on merit and secure seats through hard work,” she said. “To cancel something that was already granted is deeply unfortunate. This college should have been strengthened to produce more doctors for our people. Instead, it is being targeted for political games by exploiting religious sentiments.”
She said the intention behind the move was clear and deeply regrettable.
Students Made Scapegoats
Addressing the condition of the affected students, Minister Itoo said many of them are mentally distressed after months of uncertainty.
“These children are depressed. They are being made scapegoats despite qualifying through NEET on merit,” she said. “They were not admitted through any favour. They earned their place fairly.”
She added that such actions damage trust in the education system and harm young careers.
Omar Abdullah Orders Immediate Relief
Minister Itoo said Omar Abdullah has directed the department to ensure that all affected students are shifted to the nearest possible recognised medical colleges within Jammu and Kashmir.
“The department is already working on this,” she said. “I have also instructed the Secretary to prepare a proposal so these students can be relieved from the mental torture they have faced and continue their MBBS studies smoothly.”
Questions Raised Over NMC Timing
Questioning the timing of the decision by the National Medical Commission (NMC), Minister Itoo asked why issues were not addressed earlier.
“If the earlier inspection by the Medical Council of India approved the college, why were shortcomings not fixed then?” she asked. “Why are these issues being highlighted now, especially after objections were raised about Muslim students getting admission?”
She called the cancellation on such grounds extremely unfortunate.
“Doctors Serve Humanity, Not Religion”
Minister Itoo strongly rejected the use of religion in medical education.
“A doctor’s oath is taken in the name of humanity, not religion,” she said. “Doctors treat human beings, not Hindus or Muslims.”
She added that religion should never be used in education or medicine and warned against politicising such sensitive areas.
Remarks at University of Jammu
Earlier, while speaking at the Shri Aurobindo Gyan Kendra in the Dhanvantri Library at the University of Jammu, the minister said certain forces are spreading hate for political gain.
“We can criticise the government and debate development,” she said. “But we cannot bring religion into education or medicine.”
She expressed sadness that such divisions were becoming common and said Jammu and Kashmir has suffered greatly due to politics of division.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy began after the NMC derecognised SMVDIME, citing failure to meet minimum standards. The order directed that all existing MBBS students be transferred to other recognised colleges in the Union Territory.
The issue became political after it emerged that 42 of the 50 students in the inaugural 2025–26 batch were Muslims, along with one Sikh and eight Hindu students from Jammu. This triggered protests by several Hindu right-wing groups in the region.
Call for Unity and Education Without Politics
Minister Itoo concluded by urging people to rise above religious divisions and focus on humanity.
“We must set aside religion and move forward together,” she said. “Education should unite us, not divide us. Politics has many spaces, but education and medicine should be kept free from it.”
Her remarks have added weight to the growing demand for a fair and swift resolution for the affected students.
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