Medical college approval revoked in Kashmir after protests over Muslim students

International Desk: PNN

A private medical college in Indian-administered Kashmir has been shut down. India’s medical regulator, the National Medical Commission (NMC), said the college’s approval was revoked for failing to meet government standards. However, local and political analysts believe that protests by Hindu rights groups opposing the admission of Muslim students played a key role in the decision.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Institute (SMVDMI) is located in the hilly region of Reasi district. In November 2025, the college admitted its first batch of 50 MBBS students, including 42 Muslims, seven Hindus, and one Sikh. Although the college is partly funded by a Hindu religious trust, admissions are conducted through a national-level entrance examination open to students of all religions.

Local Hindu groups and BJP supporters launched protests over the presence of Muslim students, claiming that since the college is funded by the Vaishno Devi temple trust, Muslim students had “no right” to study there. During the protests, demonstrators regularly gathered outside the college, chanting slogans.

On January 6, the NMC announced the revocation of the college’s approval, citing deficiencies in teaching standards, hospital bed capacity, patient attendance, library facilities, and operation theaters.

However, most students and guardians believe the college was fully equipped for education. Students said they received hands-on training using cadavers and enjoyed better facilities compared to other government colleges.

Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that students would not suffer due to the NMC decision and would be accommodated in other colleges. He said, “These students passed the national entrance examination, and it is our responsibility to adjust them.”

Local analysts commented that protests centered on the number of Muslim students could give education a communal dimension. Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Union leader Nasir Khuehmi said, “The idea that only students from a particular community should study in an institution run by that community creates division in education.”

The closure of the college has left students in Kashmir anxious about their future. Saniya Jan from Baramulla said, “I passed one of India’s toughest competitive exams and got into medical college. Now everything feels ruined. Our merit has been reduced to our religion.”

This incident has added a new dimension to debates over communalism and political pressure in the education sector in Indian-administered Kashmir.