CM Omar Abdullah orders relocation of affected medical students to government colleges near hometowns
Omar slams celebrations over closure of Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College, calls it blow to students’ future
Jammu, Jan 7: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday strongly criticised those celebrating the withdrawal of permission to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence at Katra and announced immediate measures to safeguard the academic future of affected students.
Speaking to reporters after chairing a district review meeting in Samba, the Chief Minister said he has directed Health Minister Sakina Itoo to ensure that students impacted by the National Medical Commission’s decision are promptly relocated and adjusted in government-run medical colleges close to their hometowns. He stressed that the process must be expedited so that students can continue their medical education without disruption and eventually serve the people of the region.
The National Medical Commission’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board on Monday withdrew the letter of permission granted to the medical college for alleged non-compliance with minimum standards. The decision came amid sustained agitation in Jammu led by the Sangharsh Samiti, a conglomerate of right-wing organisations backed by the BJP, which had been demanding cancellation of admissions since November last year.
Reacting sharply to reports of celebrations following the decision, Omar Abdullah questioned the rationale behind rejoicing over the closure of a medical institution. He said that across the country, states and regions compete to establish medical colleges, while in Jammu and Kashmir, a movement was launched to shut one down, thereby jeopardising the future of aspiring doctors.
“If destroying the future of children brings happiness, then burst firecrackers,” the Chief Minister remarked. He pointed out that out of the current 50 MBBS seats, 40 had gone to students from Kashmir, but within a few years, the intake would have expanded significantly. “Those 50 seats would have become 400 seats. Out of those, 200 or 250 children would likely have been from Jammu. Tomorrow, these children will not get seats because the entire college was shut down in the name of religion,” he said.
Omar Abdullah further said that future generations of students who miss out on medical education opportunities should remember those responsible for opposing the college. He described the agitation as short-sighted and detrimental to the long-term educational and healthcare needs of the region.
Responding to questions about the Samba review meeting, the Chief Minister said the district has shown good performance in development and governance. However, he noted that work in certain areas needs to be accelerated. He expressed hope that by the end of the financial year on March 31, Samba’s overall performance would stand out positively compared to other districts.
On recent controversies surrounding the selection of players for football and cricket teams, with allegations of regional imbalance, Abdullah said that performance, not religion or region, should be the sole criterion. He added that he would personally meet and congratulate the Jammu and Kashmir Under-16 cricket team, which recently won the Vijay Merchant Trophy for the first time.
“I only care that the Jammu and Kashmir team performs well,” he said, expressing hope that teams from the region would continue to achieve success in the future.
