National Conference President Farooq Abdullah Criticizes Closure of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence
Farooq Abdullah, the president of the National Conference, expressed his disapproval of the closure of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir. He described the decision as “wrong” and an “injustice” to the students affected by the closure.
In a statement to reporters, Abdullah stated, “This is wrong. This is definitely injustice.” He also expressed sadness about the current state of affairs in the country, particularly in relation to educational institutions.
The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir was reacting to the recent decision by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) to revoke the institute’s recognition due to non-compliance with minimum standards.
As a result of this decision, the MARB has directed that all students admitted to the college for the 2025-26 academic year be accommodated in other medical institutions in Jammu and Kashmir as supernumerary seats under the authority of the UT administration.
The closure of the institute followed protests by the Sangharsh Samiti, a coalition of right-wing groups supported by the BJP. The Samiti had demanded the cancellation of admissions to the medical college and requested that seats be reserved exclusively for students who follow the faith of Mata Vaishno Devi.
Conclusion
The closure of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the future of medical education in Jammu and Kashmir. Farooq Abdullah’s criticism of the decision highlights the broader implications of such closures on students and the education system as a whole.
