KATRA: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said that demanding allocation of medical seats based on religion instead of merit was “wrong and dangerous” for Jammu and Kashmir as well as for the entire country.
Her remarks come amid an ongoing controversy over admissions at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College, where 42 Muslim students — mostly from Kashmir — and seven Hindu and one Sikh student from Jammu were selected for the first MBBS batch of 50 through the NEET merit list. The selections were made by the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examination (JKBOPEE).
Speaking to reporters, Mehbooba emphasised that merit must prevail in educational institutions.
“Ignoring merit and demanding seat distribution on the basis of religion is very wrong. It will spoil the atmosphere of Jammu and Kashmir and affect the entire country. If this begins here, it will spread elsewhere,” she said.
The former Chief Minister travelled to Katra by Vande Bharat train to attend a function and reiterated that the original aim behind establishing universities like Mata Vaishno Devi University and Baba Ghulam Shah University was to offer quality education irrespective of community identity.
She said Jammu has always been known for harmony, remarking:
“Jammu is where the lion and the lamb could drink from the same river. Jammu and Kashmir belongs to everyone.”
The college’s selection pattern has sparked protests by several groups in Jammu, who allege disproportionate allotment to students from Kashmir and have sought a probe into what they call a “conspiracy”.
On her journey, Mehbooba added that travelling by Vande Bharat was “a beautiful experience” and recalled visiting Katra during her college days.
