Security tightened at Jammu Civil Secretariat as protests continue over MBBS admissions at Vaishno Devi medical college
Jammu: The security around the civil secretariat has been tightened following a protest call over the MBBS admissions at Vaishno Devi medical college.
The protest call was given by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti (SMVDSS).
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that controversy erupted across Jammu following admission of 42 Muslim students out of a total of 50 students in the first batch to the medical college.
Dozens of protesters gathered earlier outside Lok Bhavan and set ablaze an effigy of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, demanding revocation of the MBBS admission list. The protests were started by right-wing Hindu groups which later led to the formation of the Sangarsh Samiti and its leaders have already held talks with Lt Governor and leaders of the central government including Union health minister.
Tensions further rose over the MBBS admissions row with protestors planning to step up agitation. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti had announced an escalation of its protest against the first MBBS admission list of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College, objecting to the admission of 42 Muslim students among 50 selected candidates. The group is demanding that the admission list be rescinded and that admissions be restricted to Hindu candidates.
At a core committee meeting in Srinagar, Samiti leaders, along with representatives of the Shri Sanatan Dharam Sabha, alleged that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board acted unfairly and deviated from its mandate. They accused the Board of misusing shrine funds over the past two decades for infrastructure projects such as hospitals and universities instead of promoting Sanatan Dharma–related activities.
Now, during the recent hunger strike call, the Protesters have alleged imbalance in representation, claims that have been rejected by academic sources and student bodies, who maintain that the process is religion-neutral and fully merit-driven. Legal experts have warned that cancelling merit-based admissions would violate constitutional principles and undermine the integrity of competitive examinations. Authorities are monitoring the situation, stating that admissions made under established rules cannot be annulled without valid legal grounds.
According to a recent IANS report, the Sangarsh Samiti is protesting against the admission of non-Hindu candidates to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence. The group has demanded cancellation of the admission process or closure of the medical college while threatening escalation through a signature campaign and boycott.
Officials said hundreds of police personnel led by senior officers were deployed outside the Civil Secretariat to prevent any law and order situation.
A police official said no protesters would be allowed to come anywhere near the Secretariat premises. Leaders of the Sangharsh Samiti have also alleged misuse of shrine funds and have sought intervention from BJP leaders and the Lt Governor.
Also Read:Hunger strike in Jammu over MBBS admissions at Vaishno Devi medical college
Right-wing organisations have raised objections to the admission process, attempting to project it as a contentious issue.
The government has categorically stated that all admissions at the medical college have been carried out strictly on the basis of merit and not on the basis of religion.
Officials reiterated that the selection process follows prescribed norms and regulations applicable to medical admissions.
Authorities said the situation remained under control, with security arrangements put in place as a precautionary measure to maintain public order in the high-security zone.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that only merit-based admissions have been made by the college, and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence is not a minority institution, nor are admissions to the college to be made on religious lines, since the college receives grants/funds from the J&K government.
Union Minister of State (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a public Darbar in Kathua on Monday that the Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, as the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, is competent to address the problem.
Dr Singh expressed the hope that the L-G must have started the exercise to resolve the issue.
