JAMMU NOV 23:- Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan, Jammu, on Friday evening to convey public concerns regarding the recent MBBS admissions at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), an institution run by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Sharma expressed serious reservations over the selection process, stating that the admissions have triggered widespread resentment among devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi and sections of the Hindu community. He told the Lieutenant Governor that the selection of a substantial number of non-Hindu candidates has caused “deep distress” among many devotees. According to him, the issue involves not only academic procedures but also cultural sensitivities and faith-related expectations associated with Shrine Board–managed institutions.
During the meeting, the LoP urged the administration to review the admission criteria, ensure greater transparency, and take into account the sentiments of the Hindu community. He stressed that SMVDIME, like other Shrine Board institutions, functions with the support and emotional investment of millions of devotees, and therefore their expectations must be duly acknowledged.
Sharma was accompanied by a delegation of BJP MLAs, including Sham Lal Sharma, Surjeet Singh Salathia, Dr. Devinder Manyal, and R.S. Pathania. The delegation reiterated the BJP’s commitment to safeguarding cultural and religious sentiments, particularly those of Hindu devotees. They appealed to the Hon’ble LG to intervene and take corrective steps to address public grievances and restore confidence in the institution’s admission process.
Highlighting the significance of the Shrine Board and its affiliated institutions, Sharma said these bodies represent not only educational excellence but also the cultural and spiritual heritage of the region. Any decision perceived as disregarding the sentiments of devotees, he warned, could have wider social and emotional repercussions.
The delegation urged the Lieutenant Governor to take immediate and appropriate measures to address the concerns raised by the devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi.
