A significant controversy has erupted in the Jammu region concerning the admissions for the inaugural MBBS batch at the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir.

The Core of the Dispute

The dispute began after the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE) released the merit list for the college’s 50 seats. Protesting groups claim that approximately 90% of the selected candidates are Muslim students predominantly hailing from the Kashmir valley.

Demands from Sangh Outfits

Organizations affiliated with the Sangh Parivar, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, have spearheaded protests, demanding that the current admission list be scrapped or that seats be reserved for Hindu students.

Their central argument is that the medical college was established using donations and funds contributed by pilgrims to the sacred Vaishno Devi Shrine, and therefore, the institute should honor the faith of the majority community by ensuring a greater representation of Hindu students. They argue that an institute built on religious donations should not be “dominated” by members of the Muslim community.

Official Response and Legal Position

Officials of the Shrine Board and the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations have maintained that the admission process was conducted strictly on the basis of merit using the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) scores for Union Territory domiciles.

They stressed that they are bound by the guidelines set by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Since the institute had not secured “minority status” as defined by law, the selection authority (JKBOPEE) was legally required to follow the common merit list generated through the NEET exam, where a large percentage of the highest-ranking candidates in the merit pool for the region happened to be Muslim.