Mehbooba Mufti Warns of “Dangerous Precedent” in Withdrawal of Medical College Recognition in J&K

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday expressed serious concern over the cancellation of recognition of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), warning that the move could set a "dangerous precedent".

Mehbooba said the decision by the National Medical Council (NMC) to withdraw the college's permission negates the historic decision taken by the people of a Muslim-majority state to accede to India.

"This is not just about one college; it can become a pattern," she told reporters in Srinagar. "Jammu and Kashmir has always been the testing ground; whatever is experimented here is eventually rolled out in the rest of the country."

The institute had admitted 50 students to the MBBS course on the basis of their performance in the NEET examination. According to officials, 42 enrolled students were from Kashmir and belonged to the Muslim community.

While the BJP welcomed the NMC decision, several political leaders in Kashmir have termed it "communalisation of education".

Mehbooba said that the closure order followed remarks by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

"It is very unfortunate that Omar Sahab indicated that the college should be closed, and the very next day, the order was issued. Was this discussed with the Chief Minister that evening?" she asked.

She warned that politicising education in the name of religion could have a wider impact across the country.

"If such actions are repeated in other states, and the youth of Jammu and Kashmir find no place even in their own state, how can they feel secure in Haryana, Punjab, or elsewhere?" she said, adding that lakhs of students from J&K are currently studying outside the union Territory.

She also alleged that pressure from "communal forces" had influenced the decision, cautioning that it may embolden similar elements in other parts of India.

"If in Jammu, BJP or RSS elements pressurise the system by protesting for some days and a major decision like closing a college is taken, it sends a very dangerous message. It will encourage communal forces to target Kashmiri students," she said, adding that college registration should not have been withdrawn.

She urged the Chief Minister to take up the matter strongly with the Centre as communal forces will feel encouraged, and this pattern may be replicated elsewhere.

When asked about Thursday's ED searches in Kolkata, Mehbooba termed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a "tigress", saying she is "very brave" and will not surrender.

Mehbooba said that such raids by different agencies CIK, ED and NIA have become a normal thing in Jammu and Kashmir and now the country is tasting it.

"When Article 370 was revoked, three CMs were put behind bars, the majority of political parties in the country maintained silence. Now, that is being witnessed across the country, including Bengal," she said

"I am hopeful that Mamata Banerjee is very brave, she is a tigress and will effectively fight them and not surrender," the PDP chief added.