Rajouri/Jammu, Dec 2: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that admissions to the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) are strictly merit-based and cannot be influenced by religion under the Constitution.
“When the decision was taken to set up a medical college at the university, it was already clear that seats could not be distributed on the basis of religion. Approval was granted on the basis of NEET, and the only criterion of NEET is merit,” Abdullah told reporters.
The National Conference leader, travelling from Srinagar to Jammu via Poonch and Rajouri, said students who earned admission through NEET are now being unfairly targeted because of their religion. “Neither the law nor the Constitution permits this, nor does the university policy allow denial of admission on this basis.”
Abdullah criticised calls for religious segregation in admissions, reiterating that NEET rank alone determines eligibility. “If you want seats distributed on the basis of religion, then you must stop taking grant-in-aid and the land given free of cost. Only then can you change the university rules to reserve seats for one religion. We will have no objection to that,” he said.
On the demolition of a journalist’s house in Jammu, Abdullah said the matter did not fall under his jurisdiction. “I have already said this in Srinagar — it is not in our hands. Those who appointed the officer and took this step should be questioned.”
Speaking on the poor condition of roads in the Pir Panjal region, Abdullah attributed it to ongoing construction work. “The roads are in poor shape because work is underway — road-widening, four-laning, and tunnel projects. Wherever tunnel work is going on, maintenance of the existing roads should be ensured,” he said.
The chief minister, who travelled via the Mughal Road through Bafliaz and Poonch, said he had personally observed the situation and would take up the matter with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, as the roads fall under the Border Roads Organisation.
Abdullah further said that measures to strengthen border safety were progressing. “Our priority is to keep the border calm. Work on constructing bunkers — both community and individual — is underway,” he added.
He also visited the residence of Poonch MLA Aijaz Ahmed Jan to offer condolences on the passing of his mother.
